Panic has gripped the villages of Murang’a County as a surge in attacks by stray, rabid dogs leaves residents living in fear. In the last week alone, scores of people have been mauled, with the attacks concentrated in Kanjama, Maragi, and Kambirwa villages. The situation has escalated from a nuisance to a full-blown health emergency, with victims nursing horrific injuries and the specter of the deadly rabies virus looming over the community.

The attacks are vicious and unprovoked. James Karanja, a resident of Maragi, recounted his ordeal to the press: “I was walking to work at 7 am when a dog jumped at me and bit my left leg, wrestling me to the ground.” Karanja was lucky to be wearing thick trousers, which mitigated the damage, but others have not been as fortunate. A schoolgirl in Kambirwa was bitten on the cheek, a terrifying injury that highlights the danger posed to children walking to school.

The Cost of Neglect

The crisis is compounded by the exorbitant cost of treatment. Rabies is 100% fatal once symptoms appear, making immediate Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) mandatory. However, the injections are expensive. Karanja reported needing five injections, each costing 1,200 Kenyan Shillings, a sum that is out of reach for many rural families. This financial barrier could lead to preventable deaths if victims opt to forego the full course of treatment.

• Hotspots: The worst-hit areas are Mathioya and Kiharu constituencies. In Kanjama village alone, over 10 residents are currently treating bite wounds.
• Government Inaction: Residents accuse the County Government of Murang’a of lethargy. Despite the rising cases, there has been no coordinated mass vaccination drive or culling of stray dogs.
• Rabies Threat: The behavior of the dogs—attacking without provocation and in broad daylight—is a classic clinical sign of rabies, a viral disease that attacks the central nervous system.

A Call to Action

Parents are now forced to escort their children to school armed with sticks, a regression in public safety that has angered locals. “We are living like we are in the wild,” said one mother. The community is demanding an urgent intervention from the veterinary department to round up the strays and vaccinate domestic dogs to create a buffer against the disease.

Until the authorities act, the people of Murang’a remain under siege, looking over their shoulders every time they step out of their homes. This is a ticking time bomb that requires immediate diffusion before a life is lost.