KENYA- The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development of Kenya plans to roll out a nationwide animal vaccination campaign in January 2025, targeting 22 million livestock to safeguard the livestock sector.
President William Ruto announced the program during the Maa Cultural Festival in Samburu County. The program aims to combat transboundary animal diseases (TADs) such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Rift Valley fever, and Newcastle disease.
This move is poised to transform Kenya’s livestock economy, ensuring disease-free herds and opening doors to international markets.
The government has allocated KSh 1 billion to this ambitious effort, underscoring its commitment to revitalising the livestock industry after prolonged droughts and disease outbreaks.
Complementing the vaccination drive is a restocking initiative to replace drought-stricken herds, with plans to distribute 55,000 goats and sheep to affected farmers.
The vaccination campaign will rely on locally produced vaccines by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), a state corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development. KEVEVAPI’s expertise in producing high-quality vaccines is integral to the program.
“By focusing on animal health, top-quality breeds, and proper nutrition, we’re helping farmers double production while meeting international demand,” said Jonathan Mueke, Principal Secretary of the State Department of Livestock Development.
TADs severely threaten livestock farmers in Kenya and across sub-Saharan Africa, causing immense economic losses, disrupted livelihoods, and food insecurity.
Diseases like East Coast fever (ECF), a tick-borne menace, claim over a million cattle annually in Africa.
In Kenya alone, ECF is responsible for a 44.4% mortality rate in indigenous breeds, rising to 80% for exotic breeds.
According to Dr. Wyckliff Ngetich, a veterinary surgeon and researcher with the Feed the Future Innovation Lab for Animal Health (AHIL), the economic toll of ECF exceeds US$300 million annually.
“Finding lasting solutions is urgent,” Dr. Ngetich emphasised, adding that hotspots like Narok South are critical to understanding and managing the disease’s spread.
Transboundary diseases are not just a threat to local farmers but also to Kenya’s aspirations in global trade. FMD and other highly contagious diseases can lead to sanitary sanctions, barring exports of livestock products.
President Ruto emphasised that the vaccination program is key to accessing international markets, ultimately boosting farmers’ incomes and strengthening the economy.
Kenya’s livestock sector is a cornerstone of rural communities’ livelihoods, contributing to food security, economic prosperity, and buffering against economic uncertainty.
Thus, this bold vaccination campaign reflects the government’s dedication to securing the sector’s future while addressing the pressing challenges of disease outbreaks, drought, and global market demands.
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