Government to launch Nationwide Livestock Vaccination program next year

Samburu, 

Saturday, 9 November, 2024

McCreadie Andias 

The government will embark on a nationwide livestock vaccination programme against diseases in January next year, President William Ruto has announced.

The President said 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep will be vaccinated.

He explained that the programme will 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.

The President made the remarks during the Maa Cultural Festival held near the Samburu National Reserve in Samburu County.

In an engaged conversation with dairy farmers at the 9th Annual Dairy Farmers Field Day Celebrations in Gitoro ASK grounds, Meru County on June 13,2024.

President William Ruto promised that his government will foot the vaccination of all cows in the country to eliminate disease.

Ruto said his government has received complaints from foreign buyers who expressed concerns over presence of impurities in milk imported from Kenya.

Ruto said that it is for this reason, that the government will launch a nationwide vaccination programme for all cows.

"We have looked for funding and now every cow in Kenya, 22 million heads of livestock will be vaccinated and paid for by the government of Kenya," he said.

During the cultural event, the President also noted that the government has allocated KSh1 billion for restocking of livestock lost during the drought in the northern part of the country.

He also said that the government will buy 55,000 goats and sheep to distribute to farmers, ensuring that every family is supported.

“We are committed to ensuring that families who lost their livestock during the drought benefit from the government programme,” he said. 

The head of state previously asked governors to formulate strategies aimed at ensuring vaccination of all cows.

He noted that vaccination of livestock must be done across the country to eliminate livestock disease.

Ruto urged dairy farmers to plan accordingly in readiness for the countrywide vaccination exercise.

He also highlighted that while on the State trip to the US, he agreed with President Biden that dairy products from Kenya have a potential market in the US.

"Nataka tukubaliane, ili tuweze kufungua ile soko Marekani, lazima tuondoe magonjwa, tuweke disease free zone, tuhakikishe pia ile ng'ombe tunauza ya nyama iko disease free."

He said the initiative will allow Kenya to tap into the wider dairy products market.

"Niko na habari njema, tayari maziwa yetu tunauza Tanzania, South Sudan, Somalia na UAE; mwaka huu tumeuza maziwa ya bilioni saba na laki mbili exported out of Kenya," he said.

Ruto added that in his upcoming meeting with the President of the UAE, he will also discuss ways of widening the market for milk products.