Kisumu City Management has ordered the killing of all stray dogs in the town.
City Manager Doris Ombara said that the city management plans to get rid of the high number of stray dogs in the town’s residential areas and even within the Central Business District (CBD).
Speaking to this writer at the City Council office today,Ombara said that residents have been complaining of the high number of stray dogs in the town. She noted that many residents have been bitten by the stray animals with some being infected with rabies.
Ombara said: “We cannot allow the stray carnivores to roam freely in the town and even in the residential estates as this poses a great threat to residents especially school going children. We are going to ensure that all of them are killed to that we can deal with this menace as is part of our policy."
She added, "The city management does not encourage animals that pose threat to human beings to be allowed to roam carelessly in the town. That is why it is our policy to eliminate them after every three years so that our residents can stop living in fear."
The move is expected to begin next week as the poison jabs are still being collected and counted, she said.
At the same time, Ombara warned residents against allowing their cattle to roam and graze in the CBD.
She noted that a large number of the animals graze freely in the towns, saying that some have invaded parks and parking lots to feed on the grass.
Ombara warned the residents to keep their cattle out of the CBD and business premises saying that the animals normally cause damage to property and grown grass in office spaces.
She said that action will be taken against those who violate the regulations.