President William Ruto has affirmed that the planned mass vaccination of livestock early next year will continue despite opposition from a section of politicians and veterinarians.
Ruto said he is determined to ensure that the livestock are vaccinated to eliminate diseases and boost the quality of milk and meat in the global market.
"If we don't vaccinate our livestock, how will we deal with diseases like foot and mouth?" Ruto posed.
"We have negotiated the market for our livestock products but we must first contain the disease.''
Speaking when he attended a Sunday Church service at the A.I.C Kipkorgot, Uasin Gishu County, the President dismissed claims that the vaccinates will be imported.
"The vaccination will be done by our scientists and vaccinations are being manufactured here in Kabete,'' Ruto said.
The president said Kenya is home to the largest facility that produces livestock vaccines in the whole of Africa.
"We have been selling the vaccines to other countries,'' Ruto said.
The Head of State asked leaders to stop politicising the vaccination campaign saying it is fortunate that politicians were playing with the livelihood of Kenyans and the country's economy.
"Let us not politicise the things that matter for our people, let's unite and work together for the food of Kenyans,'' Ruto told his critics.
The Kenya Kwanza government has come under heavy criticism from a section of politicians who have questioned the motive behind the vaccination campaign.
The Kenya Veterinary Association has also claimed that it was not involved in the process of planning and production of the vaccines to be used, calling on the government to come out clean on the project.
Some politicians have threatened to mobilise their voters and supporters to reject the planned vaccination saying the government is not clear about the importance of the mass vaccination campaign.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, now Ruto's fiercest critic asked the government not to force the campaign but rather lobby Kenyans politely without any force of the campaign is genuine.
