Kalonzo rejects planned mass vaccination of livestock

By Peter Ochieng

Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has rejected the government’s planned mass vaccination of livestock.

Musyoka, in an address from his Command Centre on Friday claimed that the government has 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 livestocks 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.”

"They say that biogas, which is used for a variety of residential usage around the world, is contributing to climate change, as a result, our animals are expected to receive injections that prevent them from releasing gas into the air indefinitely,” he added.

The vaccination plan was announced by President William Ruto a week ago, during the Maa Cultural Festival.

Ruto said the government would embark on a nationwide livestock vaccination program against diseases in January next year.

The President said 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep will be vaccinated. He explained that the program 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 stated.

Ruto also noted that the government had allocated Sh1 billion for restocking of livestock lost during the drought in the northern part of the country, adding that the government would buy 55,000 goats and sheep to distribute to farmers, in the process ensuring that every family is supported.