Farmers in Rift oppose livestock vaccination
They want the government to use the money to improve the Social Health Authority
6d agoBY MATHEWS NDANYIRealtime
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has called on the government not to force the controversial livestock vaccination on Kenyans.
Gachagua said it was unfortunate that top government officials had resorted to insulting Kenyans opposed to the programme.
The former DP said the government should instead persuade Kenyans and educate them about the benefits of the planned vaccination campaign.
"There is no need to insult Kenyans opposed to the vaccination programme, talk to them softly and convince them why vaccination is important for their animals, in any case, those are their livestock,'' Gahagua said.
Speaking during a burial in Mbooni on Wednesday, Gachagua challenged the government to instead deploy persuasion.
"Speak to livestock farmers politely explain the significance of vaccination, if they say they don't want it, that is their right because it is their livestock,'' Gachagua said.
He said government officials must stop what he called arrogance and speak to Kenyans politely so that those who don't buy into the vaccination campaign are not victimised.
The government is planning to vaccinate at least 22 million cattle across the country in what President Ruto has said is a deliberate move to fight diseases.
Despite scepticism from a section of Kenyans opposed to the programme, President William Ruto says vaccination for livestock will enhance the country's competitiveness in the global market for animal products.
"To ensure farmers fully benefit from international opportunities, we will implement a broad vaccination programme, using locally-produced vaccines, to reduce disease prevalence in line with global standards,'' Ruto said on Sunday.
Gachagua's appeal comes at a time when a section of Kenyans are opposed to the vaccination campaign saying they have not been educated about the programme.
The Kenya Veterinary Association has also called on the government to suspend the planned vaccination of livestock to allow public participation.
The government has announced that the vaccination will start in January amid resistance from a section of livestock farmers who have vowed to defy the directive.
Weighing in on the issue, KVA argued that they were not consulted during its development.
In a statement on Tuesday, KVA National Chairman Kelvin Osore said that concerns raised by the government on controlling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are not a priority.
He said Kenyans should be given adequate time to be sensitised on the matter.
In a statement on Tuesday, Osore demanded transparency on the diseases being targeted, the rationale behind the vaccination, and the identity of the programme's sponsors.
“There was no stakeholders' engagement. We were not involved after the programme received controversy from the public. We were not involved in the conception and along the way. The government just rushed to us recently,” Osore said.
