Livestock Vaccination Launched Nationwide Despite Public Disapproval
The government’s planned statewide livestock vaccination effort has officially begun in Laikipia County.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe started the program on Thursday, with the goal of vaccinating at least 22 million cattle, 50 million goats, and sheep over the next three years.
However, the project has received strong opposition from some farmers and political figures, motivated by disinformation regarding vaccines.
In response, the government has informed farmers that the immunizations are safe and effective, emphasizing that the project is for their benefit.
Livestock Vaccination Begins:
— Citizen TV Kenya (@citizentvkenya) January 30, 2025
Nationwide livestock vaccination campaign starts
Livestock CS Kagwe launches campaign in Laikipia
Kagwe: Vaccination to create maximum returns for herders
22M cows, 55M small stocks to be vaccinated #CitizenTonight @SamGituku pic.twitter.com/iGBBzU2Exs
“Hakuna kiongozi ambaye anajua anafanya nini ataingia kwa jamii aseme chanjo ni mbaya…Watu walisema Covid si nzuri na ndio wanasema hii chanjo ni mbaya. Propaganda is lack of knowledge,” Kagwe said.
However, the CS emphasized that the program is completely voluntary and that no farmer will be forced to vaccinate their animals.
“Nawasihi wale ambao walikuwa na doubt hawaamini hii kazi itaendelea, itaendelea. It is not by force. Ule hataki ni sawa,” he added.
“Lakini ukumbuke livestock is devolved, uzungumze na Governor wako. Yule hataki ni yule anasema ng’ombe yangu ipate ugonjwa.”
The National Livestock Vaccination againstFMD & PPR was launched today in Laikipia County officiated by CS @kilimoKE Hon @Mutahi__Kagwe & PS @mueke
— KENYA VETERINARY BOARD (@VetBoardKE) January 30, 2025
The Board continues to exercise its regulatory function to ensure only licensed Veterinary professionals take part in the exercise. pic.twitter.com/sTKpIsqWUO
Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu, for his part, stated that his government will prohibit further unvaccinated livestock from entering the area.
“We will not allow any cow that has not been vaccinated to come to Laikipia County,” he said.
Over the next three years, the government plans to vaccinate at least 22 million cattle, as well as 50 million goats and sheep.
The state emphasized the need of immunization in combating foot-and-mouth disease in cattle and peste des petits ruminants (PPR), also known as sheep and goat plague.
“Kenya has the third-largest livestock herd in Africa, after Sudan and Somalia. We have 22 million cows and 50 million small stocks—goats and sheep,” Deputy President Kithure Kindiki said.
“We must vaccinate all our livestock to help create wealth and get maximum returns for our herders and livestock keepers.”
Today, I launched the Nationwide Livestock Vaccination Campaign in Laikipia County. This three-year initiative will vaccinate livestock against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) biannually and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) annually, aiming to protect our livestock and enhance… pic.twitter.com/FF9V5VUaEH
— Mutahi Kagwe (@Mutahi__Kagwe) January 30, 2025
CS Kagwe added; “Mambo ya wafugaji tunaangalia vizuri. We will give as much attention to livestock as we’ve done to crops. We shall improve the income of the farmer as a philosophy. Kazi yangu ni kuhakikisha the farmer has enough money.”
Opposition to the program has been driven by conspiracy theories, including rumors that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is funding the endeavor.
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Furthermore, immunizations have the ability to affect livestock genetics, resulting in faulty animals.
“I assure you that this is a normal vaccine, like what we have been doing since childhood. I would ask all livestock farmers to vaccinate their animals and not listen to propagandists,” Prof. Gulie, Advisor to the President on Livestock stated.
DP Kindiki said: “We have great market openings abroad, but we cannot export our meat and milk products if our animals have disease doubts. Vaccination will resolve this problem absolutely.”
In Laikipia County, the campaign targets 1.1 million animals, including 300,000 cattle and 800,000 goats and sheep, as the government continues with its efforts to protect the agricultural sector.
Livestock Vaccination Launched Nationwide Despite Public Disapproval
