ELDORET, Kenya – A section of large-scale dairy farmers in Rift Valley have criticized the government’s planned livestock vaccination drive, terming it unnecessary and accusing officials of pushing “a suspect agenda.”
Speaking in Eldoret, the farmers argued that the funds earmarked for the nationwide vaccination campaign—set to begin in January—should instead be redirected to address pressing issues, including Kenya’s ailing healthcare system and challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Thomas Bowen, a farmers’ representative, dismissed the vaccination initiative as a scheme for self-enrichment.
“We don’t understand where this vaccination plan is coming from,” Bowen said. “It’s clear there are individuals misadvising the government for selfish gains. We are tired of policies being forced on us without consultation.”
Bowen added that farmers had not raised any concerns about livestock diseases, calling for greater government engagement with stakeholders before implementing such policies.
His sentiments were echoed by Thomas Korogoren, who urged the government to focus on challenges like low maize prices, fake seeds, expensive fertilizer, and the possible collapse of the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (New KCC).
“All sectors of agriculture are struggling, yet these people are prioritizing things that don’t help us,” Korogoren said. “We wonder where this government is taking us.”
Another farmer, Daniel Mburu, emphasized that livestock vaccination has always been handled locally whenever outbreaks occur.
He said farmers would not support a blanket vaccination drive at a time when the Social Health Authority (SHA) is underfunded, leaving many Kenyans without access to proper healthcare.
“People are dying because of poor healthcare,” Mburu said. “Instead of solving that, they’re now targeting our livestock with questionable motives.”
Abraham Murei criticized the timing of the campaign, pointing to the plummeting price of milk.
“Even water costs more than milk today,” Murei said. “Farmers feel abandoned while the government focuses on misplaced priorities like this vaccination.”
The farmers’ opposition comes amid growing political rhetoric against the vaccination program.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has alleged the initiative has a foreign agenda, claiming it could alter the genetic structure of local livestock breeds and potentially harm Kenyans’ health.
However, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja dismissed the claims as baseless.
He said the vaccination campaign, targeting over 22 million livestock, aims to curb communicable diseases such as foot-and-mouth, which have disrupted the sector.
“This is for the benefit of the country,” Karanja said. “Currently, vaccination efforts by individual counties are ineffective because diseases spread across borders. A national campaign is necessary.”
Karanja assured farmers the vaccines would be locally produced at the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (Kevevapi) and urged them to cooperate when the program kicks off.
“Farmers should bring out their animals for vaccination,” he said. “The vaccines are safe and of high quality. This program will significantly boost livestock production and safeguard food security.”
President William Ruto also weighed in, criticizing those opposing the vaccination plan.
He maintained the initiative would strengthen livestock farming and enhance economic output for farmers.
Speaking in Eldoret, the farmers argued that the funds earmarked for the nationwide vaccination campaign—set to begin in January—should instead be redirected to address pressing issues, including Kenya’s ailing healthcare system and challenges facing the agricultural sector.
Thomas Bowen, a farmers’ representative, dismissed the vaccination initiative as a scheme for self-enrichment.
“We don’t understand where this vaccination plan is coming from,” Bowen said. “It’s clear there are individuals misadvising the government for selfish gains. We are tired of policies being forced on us without consultation.”
Bowen added that farmers had not raised any concerns about livestock diseases, calling for greater government engagement with stakeholders before implementing such policies.
His sentiments were echoed by Thomas Korogoren, who urged the government to focus on challenges like low maize prices, fake seeds, expensive fertilizer, and the possible collapse of the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (New KCC).
“All sectors of agriculture are struggling, yet these people are prioritizing things that don’t help us,” Korogoren said. “We wonder where this government is taking us.”
Another farmer, Daniel Mburu, emphasized that livestock vaccination has always been handled locally whenever outbreaks occur.
He said farmers would not support a blanket vaccination drive at a time when the Social Health Authority (SHA) is underfunded, leaving many Kenyans without access to proper healthcare.
“People are dying because of poor healthcare,” Mburu said. “Instead of solving that, they’re now targeting our livestock with questionable motives.”
Abraham Murei criticized the timing of the campaign, pointing to the plummeting price of milk.
“Even water costs more than milk today,” Murei said. “Farmers feel abandoned while the government focuses on misplaced priorities like this vaccination.”
The farmers’ opposition comes amid growing political rhetoric against the vaccination program.
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has alleged the initiative has a foreign agenda, claiming it could alter the genetic structure of local livestock breeds and potentially harm Kenyans’ health.
However, Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja dismissed the claims as baseless.
He said the vaccination campaign, targeting over 22 million livestock, aims to curb communicable diseases such as foot-and-mouth, which have disrupted the sector.
“This is for the benefit of the country,” Karanja said. “Currently, vaccination efforts by individual counties are ineffective because diseases spread across borders. A national campaign is necessary.”
Karanja assured farmers the vaccines would be locally produced at the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (Kevevapi) and urged them to cooperate when the program kicks off.
“Farmers should bring out their animals for vaccination,” he said. “The vaccines are safe and of high quality. This program will significantly boost livestock production and safeguard food security.”
President William Ruto also weighed in, criticizing those opposing the vaccination plan.
He maintained the initiative would strengthen livestock farming and enhance economic output for farmers.
