Confirming the incident, Kitui County Chief Officer for Livestock and Apiculture Jonathan Kyambi cautioned residents  not to eat meat from either dead or sick cattle in order to avoid contracting zoonitic diseases. 

Speaking on Tuesday,  the Chief Officer said the cows spotted tick infestations, making the ECF spread fast among communities which share watering points and grazing areas. "Yesterday, I received information about worrying deaths of cattle in Mutitu. We embarked on collecting specimen samples for investigations to establish the cause of deaths. I spearheaded the exercise, "said CO Kyambi.

It is believed that the disease originated from Kangundo constituency in Machakos county, where a buyer did not seek a movement and no objection permit."The animal was infected with East Coast Fever, and when it miggled with other local animals,  it infected them," said Mr Kyambi.

The most affected areas are Kitoo and Musukini villages, according to CO Kyambi. Other symptoms observed from the sick animals were general body weakness and being overwhelmed by the parasites. 

The County Government of Kitui carries out free livestock vaccination two times every year to minimise such heavy losses to farmers.

The operation, which is part of a nationwide effort to eliminate illegal pest control products, targeted both farm and household pesticides suspected to contain harmful chemicals that threaten human health, livestock, and agricultural productivity.

Speaking in Embu town after the exercise, PCPB General Manager for Compliance and Enforcement, Lawrence Kalawa, expressed concern over the growing number of illegal and smuggled pesticides in the market.

Kalawa warned that the cheap and unregistered products pose serious health and environmental risks, as many contain banned or toxic substances that can harm users and degrade the soil.

“We are stepping up enforcement this planting season to protect farmers from counterfeit products that end up destroying crops instead of protecting them. Such products are a threat to food security,” he said.

He urged farmers to be extra cautious during the short rains, noting that it is during this period of high demand that dishonest traders flood the market with fake products to make quick profits.

Kalawa encouraged farmers to buy pesticides only from PCPB-registered agro-vet outlets, where certified products bear official safety stickers to show they have been tested and approved.

He also warned traders dealing in unregistered or fake products to stop immediately, saying that the board will continue to intensify its surveillance and prosecute offenders.

“We will not relent in protecting farmers and consumers from harmful chemicals. Anyone found selling unauthorized pesticides will face the full force of the law,” he said.

The crackdown is part of PCPB’s ongoing commitment to ensuring that only safe and genuine pest control products are available in the Kenyan market, while safeguarding the health of citizens and the integrity of the country’s agriculture.

Goats

Mature buck 9000-20000

Medium 5500-9000

Mature female 6000-13500

Medium 4000-6500

Sheep 5000-115000

Donkeys 

Male 4000-9000

Female 8000-11500

Chicken 

Mature cock 700-1200

Medium  450-650

Mature hen 450-700

Medium 350-500

-MWINGI TIMES CORRESPONDENT

Dated:October 27, 2025

Senator Wambua took the opportunity to remind President William Ruto to fulfil his Mashujaa Day pledges to Kitui county residents. This includes returning to the county after 14 days to launch more projects to transform the lives of Kenyans in the County #15. Failure to this, Wambua said, he will declare the Head of State as having lied to Kitui people.

Education CS Migos Ogamba said it was paramount for the administration of exams to remain fair for all candidates. 

"The government remains committed to zero tolerance to examination irregularities; equal opportunity for every learner regardless of the region and strengthening public trust in national assessment", said the CS in Kitui town this Friday. 

CS Ogamba presided over the opening and distribution of KNEC and KJSEA papers to heads of institutions at the county commissioner's office. 

CS Ogamba pointed out that there were enhanced security features for better supervision of national examination exercise. 

He at the same time put on notice unscrupulous people who take advantage of this season to sell fake exams papers to unsuspecting learners. The CS urged the young people to remain confident in order to excel in their examinations.