Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba has opposed the planned
mass vaccination of livestock terming it a globalist ideology that will have
negative effects on Kenya’s livestock reproductivity.
President William announced that come January, the
government will embark on a nationwide livestock vaccination programme against
diseases targeting 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep.
Speaking on November 8 during the Maa Cultural Festival in
Samburu, Ruto explained that the programme would help prevent animal
diseases and thus secure the international market for livestock products.
“This will ensure we access both national and international
markets for our livestock products,” he said.
But Wamuchomba differed with the President's sentiments, saying the vaccination is a foreign climate change mitigation idea to cut methane emissions by the animals through genetic modification.
“Listening to the President, it's clear that the intention is
a climate change move that’s supposed to help us reduce the release of methane
into the air,” she said.
In a video statement on her X feed, Wamuchomba said there's still no clear explanation of the potential effects of the vaccines on animals’ productivity and reproductivity.
The legislator said it would have been best for the
government to first hold public participation before embarking on the
nationwide vaccination exercise.
“We have had these animals for centuries as part of our
livelihoods, it is important for the President of Kenya before pronouncing such
kind of plans to engage the people of Kenya very heavily because they are the
real stakeholders.”
Wamuchomba said livestock farmers have not been given a clear explanation of the full implications of the vaccination other than being told it’s a disease prevention measure.
“Those behind this plan claim that the animal's natural
release of intestinal gas into the atmosphere as a means of release from normal
feeding and flatulence process is a hazardous process to the environment. This
is not something to be taken lightly,” she said.
“This is a globalist idea, an idea that comes with a lot of
negative impact. As a representative of a constituency where people I represent
are livestock farmers, I reject this experimental programme in totality.”
Wamuchomba urged fellow MPs to reject the vaccination plan
saying that other than the negative effects she has highlighted, there’s the
cost implication.
She said Parliament has not received any request to approve
a budget for the vaccination, implying that the cost may be pushed to the
farmers.
“Now that the President wants to vaccinate 22 million cows, does he have a budget? Are the farmers going to pay for this vaccination? If as a country we are going to spend money for this vaccination, has he come to Parliament for budgeting?
