The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) calls for the postponement of the planned nationwide livestock vaccination, citing concerns over inadequate public awareness, insufficient resources, and the politicisation of the campaign.
In a statement released on Tuesday, December 17th, the KVA emphasised the need for more time for public sensitization to address concerns and ensure the active participation of livestock keepers.
They argued that the current lack of transparency and stakeholder involvement undermines the credibility of the exercise.
“The government should pause the current exercise to allow time for adequate public sensitization and to address concerns from Kenyans. This will help ensure that livestock keepers understand the benefits of vaccination and actively participate in the program. For vaccination campaigns to be successful, a specified minimum coverage needs to be achieved.
“In the current heated climate, that objective cannot be met. Rushing forward to carry out this program when majority of Kenyans are clearly not willing will lead to unmitigated failure. It would only lend credence to fears that this exercise is meant to siphon budgeted funds.,” KVA stated.
The association also highlighted the challenges posed by the devolution of veterinary services, pointing to under-resourced county departments ill-equipped to effectively implement the vaccination program.
Furthermore, the KVA questioned the relevance of the vaccination campaign to Kenya’s livestock sector, noting that most livestock are raised in organic systems with minimal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
They also emphasized the inaccessibility of methane-reducing vaccine technology for most countries, including Kenya.
The KVA reiterated their commitment to working with the government and other stakeholders to address these challenges and ensure the success of the livestock subsector. They stressed the importance of controlling diseases like Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) to enhance livestock productivity, secure livelihoods, and boost international trade.
This statement comes amidst ongoing debate surrounding the vaccination campaign, with President William Ruto dismissing concerns about potential harm to animals.
The Kenya government plans to vaccinate 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep commencing January 2025 against Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) to enhance livestock productivity, secure livelihoods, and boost international trade.
