Authorities have apprehended Kipkerich Rugut, a man from Sigor in Chepalungu Constituency, who had been deceiving local farmers by posing as a qualified veterinarian.
The arrest followed a successful sting operation led by the Bomet National Livestock Board, which uncovered Rugut’s fraudulent activities.
Undercover officials, posing as distressed livestock owners in need of urgent veterinary care, caught Rugut in the act of selling counterfeit veterinary drugs.
The operation revealed his inability to provide legitimate veterinary services, leading to his immediate detention at Chepalungu Police Station where he faces charges.
In a brief statement, Rugut admitted his deceitful actions, saying, “Nlikosa daktari nikaona niponeshe ng’ombe… mimi nafuga ng’ombe na nalima shamba.”
The arrest highlights a troubling trend in Bomet County, where the community’s reliance on animal husbandry has been exploited by fraudulent practitioners.
Such deceit not only endangers the health of livestock but also poses a significant risk to public health by potentially contaminating dairy and meat products.
Dr. Benson Kibore, Manager of Compliance and Enforcement at the Kenya Veterinary Board, condemned the fraudulent practices:
“Unfortunately, these are the drugs that are being used by the quacks to cause harm not only to animal welfare but also to derogate the practice of veterinary medicine in the Republic of Kenya.”
He further emphasized that anyone involved in selling prescription-only drugs without proper authorization will face deregistration, as per the board’s recent statement.
The authorities are continuing their investigation to prevent further exploitation and protect the community from similar fraudulent activities.
