The government has announced that a nationwide livestock vaccination campaign will begin next week, targeting the containment of diseases like Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR). This initiative, spearheaded by the Directorate of Veterinary Services, will commence in Laikipia County and progressively cover other regions.
Director of Veterinary Services Allan Azegele emphasized the urgency of the campaign due to the increasing risk posed by livestock diseases. “The mass vaccination cannot wait any longer,” he said during an address on Tuesday. He attributed the escalation of disease outbreaks to the ongoing dry spell, which has intensified livestock movements in search of pasture, increasing the spread of transboundary diseases.
The campaign will vaccinate 22 million cattle and 50 million goats, with County Directors of Veterinary Services (CDVSs) overseeing the exercise. Azegele noted that CDVSs play a pivotal role in the success of this initiative, as they are responsible for disease control at the county level.
Currently, counties like Kakamega, West Pokot, and Trans Nzoia are under full quarantine due to confirmed FMD outbreaks, while Nandi is under provisional quarantine as laboratory tests are awaited. Livestock markets in Nandi have been shut down, affecting dairy and beef producers who cannot sell milk or livestock products during outbreaks.
The economic stakes are high, with Kenya risking losses of up to KSh 64.4 billion (USD 500 million) in domestic and international trade if the disease is not effectively controlled. Azegele highlighted that FMD has significantly hampered Kenya’s access to lucrative export markets, including the UAE and EU, and the country is striving to meet requirements to enter the US market.
President William Ruto has assured Kenyans that the vaccination drive is voluntary and solely aimed at improving the quality of livestock products. Addressing concerns raised by some politicians, he clarified that the campaign seeks to safeguard livestock health and expand market access for farmers.
The government hopes this vaccination campaign will mitigate the impacts of FMD, which causes severe productivity losses in cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Azegele stressed the importance of controlling the disease, as international buyers often cite FMD as a barrier to trade agreements.
As the vaccination begins, farmers are urged to cooperate with veterinary officers to ensure the program’s success and protect Kenya’s livestock industry.
