Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr Andrew Karanja has defended a nationwide vaccination drive that is targeting 22 million animals in Kenya.
In a statement on Thursday, November 21, 2024, Karanja said the government will use vaccines manufactured in Kenya by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI).
According to the CS, the vaccination drive is aimed at combatting transboundary diseases to protect the dairy sector and ensure its sustainability.
“Starting January 2025, Kenya will launch a nationwide Animal Vaccination Campaign targeting 22 million livestock to combat transboundary diseases, aims to protect the dairy sector and ensure its sustainability,” he stated.
“The vaccination program will rely on locally manufactured vaccines from the @VetBoardKE Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), a state corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. KEVEVAPI is instrumental in producing, marketing, and distributing vaccines for livestock diseases, including foot-and-mouth disease, Rift Valley fever, and Newcastle disease.”
Karanja dispelled reports that the drive was influenced by external forces seeking to test their vaccines in the country.
“We are vaccinating because there are transboundary diseases, like foot-and-mouth disease which is transboundary. When one county vaccinates and the other neighbouring county vaccinates, it’s a waste of resources. We are vaccinating all the 22 million animals in Kenya and we will be doing that with vaccines produced in Kenya, not any importation. There is no ulterior motive in that. It is to ensure that our dairy sector is safe,” he added.
Ruto announces vaccination drive
In early November 2024, President William Ruto announced that the government would embark on a nationwide livestock vaccination programme against diseases in January 2025.
Ruto said 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep will be vaccinated.
He explained that the programme will help prevent animal diseases and thus secure the international market for livestock products.
“This will ensure we access both national and international markets for our livestock products,” Ruto said.
The President noted that the government has allocated Ksh1 billion for restocking livestock lost during the drought in the northern part of the country.
He also said that the government will buy 55,000 goats and sheep to distribute to farmers, ensuring that every family is supported.
“We are committed to ensuring that families who lost their livestock during the drought benefit from the government programme,” he said.
President Ruto also announced that the government has completed the construction of a leather industrial park at Kenanie and Narok, which will ensure no leather goes to waste.
“Through these facilities, we will be able to save Ksh10 billion we have been losing in leather,” he said.
