Livestock farmers in Kenya are being urged to embrace regular vaccination as a critical measure to protect their animals from diseases that could lead to devastating losses. The call, made by the Director of Veterinary Services (DVS), Dr. Allan Azegele, emphasizes the importance of proactive vaccination to safeguard the nation’s valuable livestock sector.
Dr. Azegele, speaking during a media tour of the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) in the Industrial Area, stated that while the government encourages farmers to take advantage of its vaccination programs, it will not compel anyone to vaccinate their animals. However, he warned that farmers who choose not to vaccinate risk significant financial losses if disease outbreaks occur. “If farmers decline to vaccinate their animals and there is a disease outbreak, they will be at a loss because their animals will either die, or there will be a quarantine in the area, preventing them from selling their livestock,” he explained.
To mitigate these risks, Dr. Azegele encouraged farmers who opt for private vaccination to report the details to authorities so that the vaccination efforts can be recorded in a national database. This collaboration is essential for tracking the vaccination status of animals and ensuring effective disease control.
The Kenyan government has identified two transboundary diseases of particular concern to livestock farmers: Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goats. Vaccination for FMD is being prioritized in dairy-producing regions, while PPR vaccinations focus on Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs). Dr. Azegele explained that one dose of PPR vaccination offers lifetime immunity, while the FMD vaccine requires biannual administration to maintain protection due to its six-month immunity period.
The government is rolling out a nationwide vaccination campaign in a phased approach, with the country currently in stage two of a five-stage progressive control pathway. This strategy aims to reduce the impact of livestock diseases and ultimately secure a “freedom from disease” status from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). Achieving this status would open global markets for Kenyan livestock products.
So far, the government has made significant strides in vaccinating livestock in various counties. In Kitui, 700,000 doses of the PPR vaccine were deployed, while in Wajir, 800,000 doses were distributed. Other counties such as Embu and Tharaka Nithi have also benefited from the vaccination campaign. The ongoing collaboration with KEVEVAPI ensures a steady supply of vaccines as the rollout continues.
Kenya’s livestock population is substantial, with approximately 22 million cattle, 23 million sheep, 35 million goats, and 4.3 million camels. With the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the goal is to increase the contribution of livestock to the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from 12% to 20%. Achieving this requires boosting animal productivity, particularly in the meat, dairy, and leather value chains.
In the dairy sector, the government aims to double annual milk production from the current five billion liters to 10 billion liters. For the leather value chain, the target is to increase its value from the current Sh15 billion to Sh130 billion. Achieving these targets hinges on improving animal health, including access to quality feeds, resilient breeds, and effective vaccination.
Prof. Kimathi Kigatiira, the chairman of KEVEVAPI, highlighted the institute’s long history of vaccine production, which dates back to 1964. Established in 1990, KEVEVAPI is now an independent entity that ensures the quality of vaccines produced in Kenya. These vaccines undergo rigorous quality checks, including validation at the Africa Union Pan Veterinary Vaccine Centre (AU-PANVAC) in Ethiopia.
KEVEVAPI Managing Director Alex Sabuni emphasized the institute’s capacity for mass vaccine production, with over three million doses ready for rollout. Despite operating at only 50% capacity in recent years due to lack of demand, KEVEVAPI has made significant strides in upgrading its equipment for end-to-end production.
Sabuni urged farmers to embrace the locally produced vaccines, which meet the same quality standards as those used in government and county-led vaccination programs. With the support of KEVEVAPI and ongoing vaccination efforts, Kenya is poised to enhance the health and productivity of its livestock sector, contributing to both local and global economic growth.
