Dr. Sakwa Kamama is a veterinary surgeon working at the Livestock Training Institute – Wajir County as a lecturer and Registrar focusing on training animal health and range management. He is also a member of the Wajir County One Health Unit (COHU), where he actively contributes to promoting the One Health approach in addressing public health challenges.

From Rural Roots to One Health Champion

Growing up in rural West Pokot County, Dr. Kamama witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of zoonotic diseases such as brucellosis, tuberculosis, and anthrax. These experiences, coupled with the lack of public awareness about foodborne zoonotic diseases and poor hygiene practices, fueled his passion for sustainable animal health, food safety, and the reduction of zoonotic diseases through the One Health approach.

The Journey into One Health

Dr. Sakwa Kamama’s first interaction with the One Health approach was in 2016 during his time at the University of Nairobi. During this period, he joined the Student’s One Health Innovations Club (SOHIC), which played a pivotal role in facilitating the exchange of ideas among veterinary students. Collaborative activities with medical students from UoN’s Kenyatta National Hospital campus and Moi University further enriched his understanding of One Health by providing a platform to share insights across disciplines.In 2019, Dr. Kamama participated in the Infectious Disease Management (IDM) training under One Health East and Central Africa (OHCEA), which profoundly transformed his perspective on the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

Bridging the Gap Between Theory and Practice

During his internship at Garden Veterinary Services Limited in 2019, he had the opportunity to apply the One Health approach in a practical setting. One particularly impactful case involved an expectant mother who brought her pet cat for examination and vaccination. During their conversation, he noticed that she was handling cat litter without any protective equipment, unaware of the potential risk of toxoplasmosis—a parasitic infection that can cause severe complications during pregnancy. Recognizing the urgency, he educated the couple about the dangers of Toxoplasma gondii and its potential harm to the unborn child. This guidance led to a crucial behavioral change, as the household adopted safer handling practices, including having someone else manage the cat litter until the baby was at least six months old. This experience not only reinforced his belief in the One Health approach but also highlighted its real-world impact in protecting human health through simple, preventive measures.

Shaping the Next Generation

As a lecturer and registrar at the Livestock Training Institute in Wajir County , Dr. Kamama is committed to ensuring that students become One Health-conscious in their professional practice after graduation. To achieve this, he is working with AFROHUN Kenya to establish the Student One Health Innovation Club (SOHIC) as part of a broader network of SOHICs across the country. This initiative aims to provide a platform for mentoring students and equipping them with essential One Health competencies. By fostering a new generation of health professionals who understand the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health, he envisions strengthening the One Health workforce, especially in reaching last-mile populations.

A key part of this vision is his partnership with AFROHUN, which supports the establishment of SOHIC while providing students with access to specialized training, mentorship, and a dynamic One Health network. Through this collaboration, he is not only preparing students to tackle complex public health challenges such as zoonotic diseases but also giving back to the One Health community and paying it forward by empowering future leaders to advance One Health principles.

Additionally, through ongoing cooperation with the Wajir County One Health Unit, students gain practical exposure to One Health applications in the field, bridging the gap between academic knowledge and real-world practice. These collective efforts reflect Dr. Kamama’s dedication to shaping the next generation of One Health practitioners while contributing to sustainable public health solutions.

Lifelong Learning for a Healthier Future

Dr. Kamama graduated with a postgraduate diploma in One Health ethics and emergency research to deepen his understanding of ethical issues in One Health research. He has also completed advanced training with the One Health Workforce Academies (OHWA) in infectious disease outbreak investigations, antimicrobial resistance, and the intersection of gender and One Health.

A Word from Dr. Kamama

“One Health is not just a professional approach—it’s a commitment to transforming lives. My goal is to build resilient health systems in livestock-dependent communities while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 1, 2, & 3) on poverty eradication, zero hunger, and good health.”

Vision for the Future

Dr. Kamama envisions a future where the One Health approach is seamlessly integrated into health systems, especially in livestock-dependent communities. He is committed to bridging the gap between academic theory and practical application by training and mentoring a new generation of One Health professionals. Inspired by his transformative experiences with OHCEA, he continues to apply One Health competencies to address complex health challenges and improve community well-being. With a steadfast dedication to fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, Dr. Kamama strives to create sustainable health solutions while positively impacting vulnerable communities for generations to come.

Dr. Sakwa Kamama is an alumnus of ELF-Africa from the Public Service Emerging Leaders Fellowship Programme, Cohort II (2023). This story was originally written and published by AFROHUN Kenya, original story can be found here: AFROHUN Monthly Spotlight -Dr. Sakwa Kamama