Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary nominee, Mutahi Kagwe, has confirmed that the national livestock vaccination exercise will remain voluntary, emphasizing that no individual will be compelled to vaccinate their animals. His remarks came during his vetting by the National Assembly Committee on Tuesday, where he responded to various questions on his vision for the ministry, should he be approved.
Kagwe highlighted that livestock, such as cows and goats, belong to individuals, not the government. This, he explained, forms the basis for the decision that the vaccination process for diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) would remain voluntary. “The cow belongs to an individual, not government. The goat belongs to an individual, not the government. The matter is simple. Here is a vaccine for foot and mouth disease. If you want to vaccinate your goat, we vaccinate. If you don’t, we don’t,” Kagwe stated.
However, the nominee assured that the government would undertake extensive sensitization campaigns to educate livestock owners about the importance of vaccination. He pointed out that the vaccines were produced by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (Kevevapi) and serve specific purposes, such as preventing FMD and PPR, two diseases that pose significant risks to the country’s livestock sector.
Part of the government’s plan, according to Kagwe, will include informing stakeholders about the production process of the vaccines and their benefits, fostering trust and transparency in the vaccination process.
As the first nominee to appear for vetting, Kagwe’s testimony laid out his vision for strengthening the agricultural sector. He emphasized the importance of collaboration between stakeholders, from farmers to government agencies, to ensure the health of the country’s livestock.
Kagwe’s statement regarding the voluntary nature of the vaccination exercise aligns with the government’s broader strategy to balance individual rights with public health goals, a delicate issue that requires wide public support.
