- Isiolo has rolled out a countywide vaccination campaign targeting sheep and goats
- Veterinary teams are taking the disease prevention effort directly to pastoral communities
- The drive is also expected to support livestock trade and protect pastoralist livelihoods
The County Government of Isiolo has launched a livestock vaccination campaign targeting three diseases threatening sheep and goats across all wards.
Veterinary teams have been deployed directly into local communities to administer vaccines and build herd immunity against Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP), Sheep and Goat Pox (SGP), and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), also known as goat plague.
These animals form the backbone of the county’s pastoral economy, making disease control a matter of both animal welfare and livelihood protection.
All three diseases pose a severe threat to small ruminants. CCPP is a bacterial infection that attacks the respiratory system, causing laboured breathing and high mortality. Meanwhile, SGP and PPR are both viral and trigger fever, skin lesions, mouth sores and pneumonia, often leading to death or lasting disability in affected animals. Left unchecked, any of the three can decimate entire herds within weeks.
Speaking at the launch, Chief Officer for Livestock and Fisheries Mr Isaiah Epuri framed the campaign as a strategic investment in the county’s economic future rather than a purely welfare measure.
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He explained that consistent disease control would position Isiolo’s pastoralists to access lucrative international meat markets, particularly in the Middle East, where strict sanitary requirements determine trade eligibility.
“This vaccination drive protects our herds today and opens doors to regional and international meat markets tomorrow, securing prosperity for every pastoralist family,” Epuri said.
Beyond market access, the campaign offers a crucial safety net for local livelihoods. Pastoralism remains Isiolo’s primary economic activity, with households depending on sheep and goats for milk, income and daily subsistence.
By curbing disease outbreaks, the county aims to shield families from sudden financial loss while strengthening overall food security.
The initiative also signals a broader push to modernise Isiolo’s pastoral sector through structured biosecurity practices. Reducing disease transmission and avoiding costly trade quarantines are seen as key steps toward building a more reliable livestock commercial industry.
Officials noted that sustained collaboration between county leadership, veterinary experts and herders will be essential to achieving full ward-wide coverage and long-term disease control.
By Benedict Aoya
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