December 24, 2024
Kenyan president adamant about continuing livestock vaccination campaign despite farmers' worries
Kenya's president said on December 17 that a mass livestock vaccination campaign will continue despite fears of some herders and farmers that the inoculations will somehow hurt their animals.
President William Ruto criticised those objecting to a Ministry of Agriculture livestock vaccination programme, which the ministry said is aimed at blocking the spread of several diseases and making the livestock meet international standards.
Critics have questioned the effectiveness of the vaccines, and some livestock farmers expressed concern — not backed by any evidence — that the vaccine programme is meant to sabotage their herds.
Ruto said the vaccinations will help Kenyan farmers make profit.
"I want to promise the people of Kenya that we are going to carry out this vaccination because our farmers deserve improved earnings," he said. "I want to ask leaders who have no knowledge, who have no understanding, who have no plan, to spare us their ignorance."
According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, the vaccination drive targets 22 million cattle and 50 million sheep and goats.
The ministry assured animal owners the vaccines are safe and are produced locally.
Ruto said those against the vaccination of animals are preventing livestock owners from accessing international markets for their products.
Anthrax, foot and mouth disease, rift valley fever, African swine fever, and rinderpest are some of the diseases that affect livestock in Kenya.
The Ministry of Agriculture said so far, only 10% of animals have been vaccinated. It added that the vaccination rate needs to rise to 85% to make livestock products eligible for export.
Some farmers and experts have blamed the government for the low uptake of vaccines, saying it failed to provide a clear message and allowed politicians to assume the roles of experts and veterinarians, which has fueled the false message about vaccines.
- VOA
