Nandi Senator Samson Cherargei has criticized individuals opposing the government’s livestock vaccination initiative, calling them cynical and pessimistic.
The vaccination program, championed by President William Ruto, aims to immunize millions of livestock across the country. However, some leaders have opposed it.
Through a statement shared on his X account on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, Cherargei noted the importance of the vaccination exercise for pastoralist communities. He described livestock as a source of pride, culture, and livelihood for many Kenyans, particularly farmers.
“The problem in Kenya today is some people are cynical, propagandist, and pessimistic about anything the government does but become hysterical, unstable, and mad when the government does nothing. For us pastoralists and farmers, we need vaccination for our livestock because it’s our pride, culture, and livelihood,” Cherargei stated.
The problem in kenya 🇰🇪 today is some people are cynical, propagandist & pessimistic to anything government does BUT become hysterical, unstable & mad when government does NOTHING ; for us pastoralists/ farmers we need vaccination for our livestock because it's our pride ,…
— Senator Kiprotich Arap Cherargei (@scherargei) December 11, 2024
Ruto on vaccination
The remarks came after President William Ruto promised to continue the vaccination campaign during the fourth Pastoralist Leadership Summit in Wajir on Tuesday, December 10, 2024.
Ruto dismissed the opposition to the program, labelling it baseless and irrational. He stressed the initiative’s critical role in promoting disease-free livestock, which is essential for improving the productivity and marketability of Kenya’s animal products.
“Anybody opposing vaccination is simply mad, unreasonable, and possibly stupid,” Ruto remarked. “The vaccination is necessary because we need disease-free livestock. I want to tell livestock keepers that there is an evil spirit in Kenya that is resident in some leaders who oppose everything.”
The Head of State noted that the mandatory livestock vaccination aims to enhance the quality of Kenyan animal products to meet international export standards, addressing long-standing shortfalls.
“We need to take charge of disease control and open up markets for our animal products. The vaccines we will be using are produced in Kenya by Kenyans,” Ruto stated.
The vaccination campaign targets 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep. However, some leaders have advised Kenyans to boycott the program, claiming it could genetically alter livestock.
Opposition
However, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, on November 15, 2024, urged Kenyans to reject the drive, alleging it is a research agenda by international partners.
“People behind this plan do not carry out the same vaccination programs in their nations where they have considerably more cattle than Kenya… We urge you to oppose this nefarious act by this dangerous and unpopular regime,” Kalonzo remarked.
Similarly, Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba dismissed the campaign as a Western-driven climate change agenda.
“Listening to the president, it is clear that the idea is a ‘climate change’ move that is supposed to help us reduce the release of methane in the air,” she stated.
