NAIROBI, Kenya- The Kenyan government has unveiled plans to launch a nationwide livestock vaccination campaign in January 2025, aiming to protect millions of cattle, sheep, and goats from devastating diseases.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Dr. Andrew Karanja reassured Kenyans that the vaccines are locally manufactured by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI).
“These vaccines have been tried and tested and are already in use, proving their safety,” Karanja said, dispelling concerns over the procurement process.
The Cabinet Secretary added that Uganda has placed an order for three million doses, underlining the trust in KEVEVAPI’s products.
The vaccination drive will focus on Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goats.
Dr. Karanja stressed the importance of a unified approach, moving away from the current county-specific response model that often fails due to uncoordinated efforts and livestock movement.
“Individual counties vaccinating during outbreaks have not been effective. A nationwide strategy ensures all areas are covered, preventing waste of resources,” Karanja explained.
This alignment is critical for Kenya’s goal of accessing international livestock markets, such as the European Union (EU), by demonstrating disease-free herds.
The vaccination initiative will be free for farmers, with the government shouldering the costs. KEVEVAPI Managing Director Alex Sabuni affirmed the institute’s readiness to deliver the 22 million doses required, leveraging facilities in Industrial Area and Kabete.
Director of Veterinary Services (DVS) Dr. Allan Azegele outlined the campaign’s broader goal: achieving certification of disease freedom from the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH).
“With PPR, one lifetime vaccination is enough. Within two years, we aim to eradicate the disease and secure access to global markets for our sheep and goats,” Dr. Azegele noted.
Sabuni highlighted the economic benefits of mass production, which will lower costs and boost vaccine affordability for farmers. Currently, the Foot and Mouth vaccine retails locally at Ksh105 per dose.
