From village boy to veterinary pioneer fighting cattle disease

Dr Wyckliff Ng'etich (centre) and colleagues from Animal Health Innovation Lab during a field visit in Narok county. [Courtesy] His journey into veterinary medicine was inspired by a deep love for animal health, rooted in transformative childhood experiences in Kaproret village, in the Rift Valley. As a primary school student, young Wyckliff Ng'etich witnessed a pregnant cow struggling with a difficult delivery. The sight stirred something profound within him, and he eagerly volunteered to assist the visiting veterinary officer. That moment planted the seed of a lifelong passion.' Years later, during his high school days, another incident reinforced his calling. A cow in the school was gravely ill after ingesting nylon paper. Once again, the same veterinary officer arrived to save the animal through a delicate operation. Wycliffe closely observed every step of the procedure, captivated by the officer's skills and determination. Without hesitation, he stepped in to help, feeling an unmistakable conviction that this was his future. These pivotal experiences shaped Ng'etich's unwavering dedication to becoming a veterinary doctor. His work embodies the compassion and commitment to animal welfare that ignited his dream. His formative years were marked by challenges. You see, Ng'etich grew up in a simple background walking to school each day and attending a day school nearby until his parents were able to secure a boarding slot for him in Form Three to help him focus on his studies. "I grew up in a small village, where I developed a deep love for learning and excelled in all my classes, earning the highest marks in primary and high school. It was a dream come true when I was admitted to study veterinary medicine in Nairobi, the big city I had always hoped to experience," he says with a proud smile. Ng'etich joined the University of Nairobi in 2010 to pursue a Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine. However, he soon realize that the journey would be far from easy. He recalls how many of those who had joined the course before him tried to dissuade him, warning that many had dropped out. True to their words, a huge number of students left during their first year. However, it was his passion that kept him going. He excelled and emerged as the best student in his class, earning a scholarship for his master's degree. He completed his Master's in Veterinary Medicine in 2017 and later enrolled in a PhD programme, graduating in September this year under the Feed The Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health at the University of Nairobi. For his doctoral research in Narok County, he studied the disease pattern of the deadly cattle disease East Coast Fever. His study investigated the cause of the disease, how it is spread between animals, the clinical signs, the risk factors that increase the likelihood of infection, and possible intervention measures. East Coast Fever (ECF) is one of the biggest killers of cattle in sub-Saharan Africa, with various studies estimating that over one million cows die annually from the deadly tick-borne disease. Such loss of livestock, especially for pastoralist communities, has devastating effects, including loss of livelihoods, food insecurity, and a heightened malnutrition risk, particularly among children. In Narok County, where he worked alongside other researchers, he focused on different aspects of East Coast Fever, a fatal disease that affects cattle, spreads by ticks, and leads to substantial economic losses. The disease is fatal if not treated in its early stages of infection, with a fatality rate of 44 per cent, meaning that almost half of the infected animals die if not treated early. In Narok, Dr Ng'etich notes that the Maasai refer to the disease as 'malaria of the cows' because its symptoms closely resemble those of malaria in people including fever, body weakness, a rough hair coat, and swollen lymph nodes. The disease typically develops over seven to 12 days after infection, with full symptoms appearing within two to three weeks. If not treated properly, the animal may die within three weeks. "The challenge with East Coast Fever lies not only in the death of the animal but also in its impact on production, as some pregnant animals may abort. Treatment is costly, with farmers spending nearly Sh10,000 per animal. Given that pastoral communities tend to have large herds, the cost of treating them can be substantial," says Dr Ng'etich. He explains that the production systems in Narok influence the spread of the disease. Some farmers practice mixed farming, combining livestock and crops, while others follow agro-pastoral systems, planting crops while also maintaining large herds of cattle. In some cases, pastoralists move their cattle from one location to another in search of feed and water. In his study, Dr Ng'etich found that cattle in the pastoral system were more exposed to East Coast Fever, as movement significantly contributed to the spread of the disease. "We advised livestock owners to reduce movement, and where that isn't possible, to minimise interaction between herds and control ticks. If an infected tick moves from one herd to another, the disease can easily spread," he explains. Furthermore, Ng'etich and his team established a 44.4 percent mortality rate for infected animals, which he notes is particularly high for indigenous breeds, known to be more resilient than exotic ones. For exotic cattle breeds, the mortality rate can reach as high as 80 percent. Control measures His study also revealed that improper tick control measures contributed to the spread of the disease. Some farmers sprayed only specific parts of their animals with acaricides, while those who dipped or sprayed the entire body of the animal had a lower risk of infection. Rotational grazing, which allows ticks to die off, is another effective control method. Additionally, the age of the animals played a role in the infection rate, with older animals being more vulnerable to the disease than younger ones. Preventive measures include vaccinating animals, which provides lifelong immunity against the disease. However, Ng'etich notes that the vaccine has not been widely adopted in Narok due to a lack of awareness. "Calves under one year are given the injection, which protects them even when bitten by ticks," he explains. Efforts are underway to raise awareness through local veterinary officers in Narok, emphasising that the vaccine is both safe and available. By collaborating with these veterinary officers, Ng'etich ensures sustainability by training them to diagnose the disease, treat it, and administer the vaccine. A lecturer at Egerton University, Ng'etich is also passionate about crop farming, growing tea, peas, and maize while keeping a few animals. An avid reader of various genres, he hopes one of his children may follow in his footsteps. He also credits his academic mentors, Prof George Gitau, Dr Abuom, and Dr Aboge, for their unwavering support throughout his PhD journey. "Without the regular meetings and guidance from my supervisors, I wouldn't have been able to complete my PhD in three years," Ng'etich says. He believes that a committed, dedicated, and compatible supervision team is essential for successfully completing postgraduate studies. "When I come home, my son is always curious about my work. He loves asking questions like, 'What does this syringe do?' or 'What does this drug do to the animal?' I think he may be the one to take up my trade among my children," he says with a smile. Ng'etich is one of 10 fully sponsored PhD fellows under the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health (AHIL) program. This initiative is being implemented across 600 households in Narok County to enhance nutrition, economic welfare, and resilience by addressing cattle health and production challenges in East African region. Washington State University leads the AHIL consortium, partnering with Kenya-based organisations, including the University of Nairobi, the International Livestock Research Institute, Kenya Medical Research Institute, and Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation. Ng'etich's unwavering dedication to improving cattle health and production across 600 households in Narok goes beyond addressing immediate challenges-it uplifts the community's economic and nutritional welfare while setting a powerful example for future generations. Driven by a passion for solving real-world problems, he is committed to nurturing his son's inquisitive nature and inspiring younger generations to embrace knowledge and innovation to create lasting solutions for their communities.

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