KWS has announced mass vaccination of dogs s in Kiambu and Kajiado counties where cases of hyena attacks had been reported.

The Kenya Wildlife service stated that the exercise will be conducted in conjunction with the respective counties after several tests showed that the roaming hyenas are infected with rabies.

KWS revealed that the samples taken from hyenas that have been terrorising locals tested positive for rabies.

“A report of a hyena having attacked a student at Multimedia University along Maasai Lodge Road in Rongai on February was responded to and samples collected from the hyena were taken to the National Veterinary Reference Laboratories (NVRL) Kabete for rabies test,” statement from KWS.

The test results from this case were confirmed to be positive for rabies on February8, 2024.

Another case  is that of a resident in Juja that had been attacked by a hyena that had strayed into his compound. The hyena was captured, and its samples taken to NVRL for testing. The results tested positive for rabies.

To curb the situation of residents being attacked by hyenas, KWS said it has sent a team from its veterinary officers and capture services assisted by the problem animal management unit to capture hyenas that have inhibited caves and forests near residential areas in Juja.

The mass vaccination also commenced Thursday February 15 in Rongai Kajiado county.

“The general public in the affected areas, in particular, are advised to exercise caution as they go about their daily activities as the necessary measures are taken into place to contain the situation of residents being attacked by hyena’s,” KWS said.