NAIROBI, Kenya – Preparations for the nationwide livestock vaccination campaign are advancing as national and county officials gathered in Nairobi to strategize on its rollout.
The campaign, slated to begin this month, aims to curb Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) among cattle, goats, and sheep.
Speaking at the planning meeting, Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke revealed the campaign’s ambitious goal of achieving an 80 per cent herd immunity rate.
“With the collaboration of national and county governments, private vets, farmers, and other stakeholders, we are going to eliminate these diseases,” Mueke asserted.
The campaign’s success, Mueke emphasized, could unlock new markets for Kenyan livestock and products, both locally and internationally.
“A successful campaign will improve livestock health and boost market opportunities for Kenyan livestock products,” he added.
I met with County Directors of Veterinary Services from all 47 counties to plan the rollout of the National Mass Livestock Vaccination Program. This initiative aims to vaccinate cattle, goats, and sheep against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and PPR, with a goal of achieving 80%…
To support this initiative, the government has allocated 1.3 million vaccines, all locally produced by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), a state corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
The campaign follows successful pilot projects in Kitui, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, and Wajir counties, which set the stage for this nationwide effort.
Stakeholders, including the private sector, have been urged to participate actively in ensuring the campaign’s success.
“By eliminating major livestock diseases, the goal is to enhance productivity, improve food security, and strengthen the competitiveness of Kenyan livestock in global markets,” Mueke highlighted.
President William Ruto is expected to officially launch the vaccination exercise, which will target 22 million cattle and 50 million sheep and goats.
Notably, farmers will not incur any charges for the vaccinations, a move the President had previously announced.
