For a long time, residents of Nyawita village in Maseno have had to deal with the rising number of stray dogs that roam in the area.
A walk in Nyawita market that borders Maseno University Siriba campus reveals tens of these dogs which roam freely feasting on garbage and sometimes chasing the residents. The dogs interfere with normal businesses as they chase people even in broad daylight. The locals have to think twice before venturing out at night for fear of being attacked.
Students from the neighbouring Maseno University are also the victims of this menace as they have turned hostel gardens into resting grounds.
“When coming out of the hostel, you can spot at least 10-20 dogs roaming around or resting” said Maryanne Kisera a student at the institution.
The stray canines usually go to an extent of resting on the doorsteps of the hostels forcing some students not to attend to their daily activities.
At Nyawita market, traders sometimes incur losses when potential customers get scared away by the presence of dogs with some questioning the safety of the food offered there.
“I cannot buy food here due to the presence of these dogs. How do you expect me to eat food that is placed on a table with two dirty dogs lying under it?” paused Dinah Aketch a resident of Nyawita.
Parents have the most challenging task of looking after their children whose playing areas have also been infested by the dogs. Most have to be extra careful to ensure the lurking packs of dogs do not attack the children.
In some extreme cases, some children usually attempt to play with the dogs unaware of the risks they are exposed to.
Dogs are known to pose a health risk if not handled in the right manner and being stray the risk is higher.
Common diseases that can be transmitted from dogs to humans are rabies and bartonellosis through dog bites and contact with human food.
It is this health risk that is the concern of Nyawita residents who feel that if something is not done soon the consequences might be fatal in the near future.
Though dog bites in the area are rare, residents feel that statistics should be put into consideration as the hungry canines might bite when provoked by those who try to scare them away.
Residents are now calling on the local authorities to come in and control the situation before it gets out of hand as their measures of getting rid of the menace have failed.
A section of the residents feel that proper waste management will help reduce the stray dog population.
Nyawita market has a poor waste disposal mechanism which attracts the dogs that are in constant search of food.
“People litter this place without thinking of the consequences. Stopping the habit of throwing garbage everywhere is the only solution to the menace,” said Anne Aketch, a resident.