Government responds to Kalonzo over livestock vaccination claims

By Peter Ochieng

The government has denied any sinister motives in the planned vaccination of livestock across the country.

The exercise is set to start in January 2025, with 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep targeted.

During a press briefing on Friday, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka rejected the planned vaccination, claiming that the government had colluded with foreign billionaires to use Kenyan livestock as testing ground for what he termed as dangerous substances.

He called on Kenyans to flatly reject the program.

"We wish to state at the very outset that the proposed vaccination program has all the markings of a sinister foreign agenda. It does not augur well for the country's pastoralist group or for Kenya as a whole,” said the former Vice President.

Musyoka stated that the program has nothing to do with environmental conservation, as has been stated, adding that it has the full support of international research institutions with a view of introducing gene-modifying drugs into Kenyan bovine livestock in order for them to ostensibly, 'cease emitting methane gas into the atmosphere.'

"Ladies and gentlemen, animals release gas into the atmosphere as a normal biological part of the digestive processes, those behind this plan claim that the animals' release of gas into the atmosphere is hazardous to the environment.”

However, in a statement, the government through the State Department of Livestock poured cold water on Musyoka’s allegations, emphasising that the vaccination program is a critical initiative to protect animal health and safeguard the food supply.

“As the competent authority in charge of Veterinary Services and the delegate to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), I call upon the public to disregard and ignore the malicious and unfounded allegations that this noble initiative by the government is related to the global warming,” said Director of Veterinary Services, Obadiah Njagi.

“As global demand for animal products continues to rise, the health and well-being of livestock are of paramount importance. Livestock plays a critical role in the economies and livelihoods of millions of people worldwide, providing food, income, and employment. To ensure the health of animals and the safety of the food supply, the vaccination of livestock is one of the most effective and sustainable strategies available,” he added.

The director said the vaccines will be supplied by the Kenya Vaccine Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), which holds a Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) certification.

The vaccination exercise was announced by President William Ruto last week.