The Government has unveiled the Ksh10.8 billion Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) Strategic Plan that will boost livestock productivity, enhance food security through access to affordable and high quality veterinary vaccines to farmers in the country and the region.
The five year Strategic Plan (2023-2027) will guide the institute towards increasing livestock vaccines production through innovation and Infrastructure modernization and enhance vaccine market access.
Speaking during the launch of the Strategic Plan, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe emphasized KEVEVAPI’s critical role in national development.
He urged the institute’s leadership to ensure that it is fully implemented towards the success of the livestock sector, Livestock sector turnover produces Sh235bn annually, accounting for approximately 12% of the national GDP.
“Healthy livestock means healthy livelihoods. This strategic plan reflects the government’s unwavering commitment to protecting our farmers, promoting food security, and expanding Kenya’s presence in global animal health markets,” he said.
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The modernization of KEVEVAPI and increased vaccine production will ensure the safety of livestock and public health, boost exports, and increase productivity among our farmers in the rural communities. It will also ensure the safety of the vaccines being administered on our livestock which is integral to the success of this industry.
The modernization of KEVEVAPI anchored on the Medium Term Plan 2023-2027 seeks to double the vaccine production from the current 35 million doses to 70 million doses annually. This will ensure that the country has sufficient vaccines to mitigate the spread of Food and Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpy Skin Disease and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) which leads to animal loss and revenue in the sector.
Previously, 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, the Institute produced 177.2 million doses of vaccines and exported approximately 11,332,430 of assorted livestock vaccines to external markets.
KEVEVAPI plans to upgrade its production facilities in Embakasi and Kabete to meet global Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) standards to not only increase vaccine production that are at par with international markets but also expand its market share in the region by exporting vaccines to neighboring countries in the EAC including Rwanda, DRC Congo, Uganda, Burundi, Tanzania, Djibouti and Mali.
By Obegi Malack
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