The government has reassured Kenyans that there are no ulterior motives in the upcoming animal vaccinations that aim to immunise 22 million cows and 50 million goats nationwide.
This is after President William Ruto received opposition after he announced that the government was planning to vaccinate 72 million livestock across the country from January 2025.
Kenyans led by Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka had read menace in the drive citing a plan to advance foreign interests by allowing international research institutions to test vaccines on Kenyan livestock.
“Ruto is advancing a sinister foreign agenda. This plan is reckless and must be stopped,” Kalonzo said, urging Kenyans to resist the initiative.
Responding to the claims, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Dr. Andrew Karanja has assured that the vaccines are safe and are manufactured in Kenya and not any foreign country.
"The vaccination program will rely on locally manufactured vaccines from the Veterinary Board of Kenya and Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), a state corporation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development," the CS said.
He went on to assure that there is no hidden agenda in the vaccination program with the government's only motive being to combat transboundary diseases and protect the dairy sector ensuring its sustainability.
"There is no hidden agenda for the vaccinations. They are just to ensure that our dairy sector is safe, and that our animals are not affected by foot and mouth and other diseases. This campaign is a milestone in our efforts to protect livestock and enhance food security," the CS assured.
According to the CS, it is necessary to vaccinate all the animals countrywide as vaccinating one region and leaving another unvaccinated would be a waste of resources since they spread across different regions.
The CS revealed that the program aligns with the government’s broader strategy to address livestock health challenges that significantly impact productivity and the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans dependent on agriculture.
President Ruto announced the rollout of the vaccinations while in Narok on November 8, 2024, arguing that it will help secure the international market for livestock products.
Foot-and-mouth disease, among other transboundary ailments, has been a recurrent threat to Kenya’s livestock industry, often causing substantial economic losses.
