The County Government of Kajiado is set to launch a mass vaccination exercise on October 7, targeting Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), which often strike during prolonged dry spells when animals are weakened by lack of pasture and water.
The County has also urged local pastoralists to embrace livestock vaccination to prevent deadly disease outbreaks and cushion them from further losses.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation and Fisheries Francis ole Sakuda said the program forms part of the National Livestock Vaccination Program, a government initiative aimed at protecting animal health, boosting productivity, and improving resilience against climate-related shocks.
“Healthy livestock stand a better chance of surviving drought. Vaccination is therefore not just about disease control — it’s a lifeline for herders who depend on their animals for food and income,” said Sakuda.
He emphasized that the county has deployed teams of veterinary officers to all sub-counties to ensure every pastoralist can access the free vaccination service.
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Sakuda also dismissed misinformation surrounding the exercise, noting that the initiative is purely meant to strengthen disease control and enhance the value of livestock for both domestic and export markets.
This comes after the national government, through the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, launched a nationwide livestock inoculation campaign early this year. The program targets 22 million cattle against FMD and 50 million goats and sheep against PPR.
According to the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), FMD remains one of the most economically devastating livestock diseases globally, with the potential to wipe out herds and cripple pastoral economies if not contained.
The CEC urged herders to take advantage of the free vaccination exercise, saying disease prevention is the first step toward sustainable livestock farming and drought resilience.
“We cannot control the rains, but we can protect our animals. A vaccinated herd is a stronger herd,” he said.
By Our Reporter
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