Kenya

AFSCAN Ambassador

Dr. Lilyan Mathai
lilyanmathai@gmail.com

Executive Committee

 

The executive committee serves as the administrative arm of the association. It consists of 9 members, all elected after a two year cycle at the annual general meeting; and two other members that the newly – elected committee usually co-opts at its first sitting to cater for special interests.

The 2023 – 2025 executive officials:

  • Dr. Alan Elavula Keya – Chairman
  • Dr. James NyarikiOmbati – Vice chairman
  • Dr. Dhaval Shah –  Hon. Treasurer
  • Dr. Cynthia Njeri – Assistant Treasure
  • Dr. Desmond Mitema Tutu – Hon. Secretary
  • Dr. Collins Papa Osiya- Assistant Secretary

Committee members
– Dr. Esther Macharia
– Dr. SpeciozaChelang’at
– Dr. Dennis Maube

Introduction

The Kenya Small and Companion Animal Veterinary Association (KESCAVA) was an initiative born in August 2014 and officially launched on 30th January 2015 as a branch of Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA), the national professional association of veterinary surgeons in Kenya. The launch saw an interim committee take charge for one year followed by a Special General Meeting in 2016 that elected its first full executive committee led by Prof. Susan Mbugua as the Chairman. Its membership base consists of veterinarians who are involved in various sectors of the profession, mainly, companion animal practice, pharmaceutical industry, wildlife, animal welfare, academia and research. Recently, this membership has been expanded to include veterinary interns. KESCAVA is a full member of the World Small Animal Veterinary Assocation.

 

Vision; Mission; Aims and Objectives 

 

  1. Vision: “There shall be optimal healthcare and welfare provided for companion animals provided by a quality, vibrant and productive veterinary profession in Kenya”.
  2. Mission: To enhance companion animal healthcare and welfare through an educated, committed and collaborative community of veterinary professionals.
  3. Aims and Objectives:
  1. a) To promote the health and welfare of all animals.
  2. b) To enhance and safeguard the interest and welfare of its members.
  3. c) To maintain the honor and dignity of the Veterinary Profession in Kenya.
  4. d) To seek, retain, disseminate and exchange veterinary information /knowledge with members; local and international organizations.
  5. e) To further the advancement of veterinary science and practice standards.
  6. f) To promote partnerships and collaboration with local and international stakeholders in the animal resource industry

 

Membership

 

Membership to KESCAVA is open to any veterinarian or veterinary intern who is properly registered and duly retained with the Kenya Veterinary Board; and is a fully paid-up member of the Kenya Veterinary Association. An annual membership subscription fee of kshs. 2,000.00 isa requirement.

 

Contact Details:

 

  1. AFSCAN Ambassador 2021 – 2023:

Dr. Derick Chibeu  – chibeuderick@gmail.com                 +254 722 738 940

  1. AFSCAN Ambassador 2023 – 2025:

Dr. Lilyan Mathai  –  lilyanmathai@gmail.com           +254 720 737 646

  1. Secretariat: kescava2014@gmail.com                +254 726 471 649
  2. Treasurer treasurer.kescava@gmail.com           +254 797 012 384

Projects

 

                                     Delegates at the 2nd AFSCAN & 3rd KESCAVA Congress in August 2023

 

a. Rabies Control Activities / Community Outreach Programs

 

This has been one of the activities that has been core to KESCAVA’s mandate. KESCAVA is part of the many initiatives in Kenya to try and eradicate human dog (and cat) – transmitted Rabies by 2030. Our members volunteer take part in all initiatives. These initiatives involve collaboration with other stakeholders especially in the rural, marginalised or underserved communities as well as in wildlife conservation areas. On its own initiative, KESCAVA has been running it’s very successful flagship program in the Mara North wildlife conservation area in a twin aim of preventing rabies spread to both humans and wildlife.

 

              Kescava Team during the 6th Annual Mara North Mass Rabies vaccinations; Spay and Neuter Campaign in February 2022

 

b.  Mentorship

 

This has been the latest activity that KESCAVA has been involved in. It was started in 2021 and involves actively mentoring veterinary students and interns. KESCAVA is in the process of availing its continuing education resources to the students and interns as a way of augmenting the normal lecture materials. KESCAVA has reached an understanding with the veterinary faculties that will see KESCAVA help with placement of students on attachment with its members as well as interns thereby easing their burden of them struggling to get a good placement, which can be difficult.

 

c. Improved Standards

 

Kescava, through its working groups, endeavors to improve veterinary standards. One area it is involved in is the Hip Dysplasia sub-committee which does scrutinizing of canine hip radiographs as a service for breeders with an aim of improving the quality of dogs bred and reducing HD. Other working groups include the Kescava Veterinary Dermatology Study group (KVDSG) and the Kescava

Clinical Pathology Study group. These are groups where case discussions and exchange of ideas is done.

KESCAVA (https://kescava.or.ke/)

Member Categories & How to Join

Here you will find all you need to know about the benefits of becoming a member, the various membership categories and how to join.