Livestock vaccination campaign begins in Laikipia

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe (left) during the launch of livestock nationwide livestock vaccination campaign in Kisargei, Segera ward, Laikipia North sub-county/HANDOUT

The much-anticipated nationwide livestock vaccination campaign kicked off on Thursday in Kisargei, Segera ward, Laikipia North sub-county.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe launched the exercise in an event attended by Council of Governors chair Ahmed Abdillahi (Wajir), Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere, and Livestock Department PS Jonathan Mueke.

Others present were Department of Veterinary Services director Allan Azegele, Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute CEO Alex Sabuni, livestock farmers and traders.

Kagwe reiterated that the exercise is entirely voluntary and will be carried out over the next three years.

A sample during the vaccination exercise in Laikipia on January 30, 2025/HANDOUT

He noted that the exercise targets to vaccinate 22 million cattle and 23 million sheep, 35 million goats with the ultimate goal of eliminating Foot and Mouth Disease in cattle and Peste des Petits Ruminants in sheep.

The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) classifies the two diseases as “trade-sensitive” transboundary animal diseases, and the government therefore is targeting to get Kenya certified as disease-free.

“The vaccination will not only increase the health of the animals, production, quality, and population, thereby reversing the current annual economic losses of up to Sh62 billion due to closure of markets, locally and internationally, treatment costs, and the 70 per cent losses through high mortality,” Kagwe said.

Cattle being vaccinated in Laikipia 

Kagwe pointed out that Kenya has signed trade agreements with the United Arab Emirates and the European Union (EU), each with a GDP of USD 850 billion and 17 trillion euros, respectively.

“These are lucrative markets that Kenya stands to lose due to the presence of these diseases, which the vaccination program seeks to address,” he explained.

Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe with residents  during the livestock vaccination exercise in Laikipia on January 30, 2025/HANDOUT

The government has committed to increasing the contribution of the livestock sector to the GDP from the current 12 per cent to 20 per cent by 2027, and Thursday’s event was tooted as the first step toward meeting the goal.

In reassuring on the efficacy of the vaccines, Kagwe reiterated that the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), a parastatal established in 1990, wholly produces the drugs locally.

Last year, more than three million sheep and goats and over 570,000 cattle were vaccinated against PPR and FMD, respectively, in Kitui, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Wajir counties.

A cow being vaccinated in Laikipia