The County Government of Bomet, through the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, has trained veterinarians and paravets in preparation for a countywide Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination exercise.
The training, held under the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), brought together veterinary surgeons, paravets, and officials from across the county.
The exercise is part of a broader strategy to curb the spread of FMD, a highly contagious livestock disease that has continued to cause huge economic losses to farmers.
With livestock keeping being a major economic activity in Bomet, the county leadership emphasized the urgent need to protect herds through vaccination as the most reliable preventive measure.
The training focused on key areas including proper handling of vaccines, safe transportation, and storage techniques to maintain vaccine efficacy.
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Participants were also taken through the use of e-voucher vaccination systems and digital livestock identification, a new system that the county is set to officially launch next week.
Officials said the digital system will not only improve vaccination record-keeping but also enhance traceability of livestock, a major boost to disease surveillance and control.
Chief Officer for Agriculture, Dr. Kibet Sitienei, who officially opened the training, underscored the county’s commitment to safeguarding farmers’ livelihoods.
“Livestock is the backbone of many households in Bomet. By strengthening vaccination campaigns and embracing digital livestock identification, we are not only protecting farmers from losses but also building a more resilient livestock sector that supports the local economy,” he said.
Other key officials in attendance included NAVCDP Coordinator Kenduiywa, Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Serem, Chair of the Technical Committee of PETS Dr. Kios, and Peter Ronoh ‘Kipchirchir’, MCA for Kipsonoi Ward and Chair of the Agriculture and Livestock Committee.
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The leaders stressed the importance of collaboration between veterinary professionals, the county administration, and farmers in ensuring the success of the vaccination drive.
Through the agriculture pillar of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the County Government of Bomet has prioritized the dairy and beef value chains as critical drivers of food security and household incomes.
Officials noted that healthier herds mean better milk and beef production, which directly benefits farmers while boosting the county’s economy.
The mass vaccination exercise is expected to cover thousands of cattle across the five sub-counties, providing relief to farmers who have borne the brunt of recurring FMD outbreaks in recent years.
By Philip Koech
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