Large-scale dairy farmers in Rift Valley have raised strong objections to the government’s plan to begin vaccinating livestock from January, describing the move as “suspect and of no use.”
The farmers argue that the government is wrongly imposing mandatory vaccinations on them, despite there being no reported livestock diseases or challenges. They are calling for the government to abandon the vaccination plan and instead allocate the funds towards improving the Social Health Authority, so Kenyans can access better healthcare.
Representatives from the farming community who spoke in Eldoret included Thomas Bowen, Thomas Korogoren, Daniel Mburu, and Abraham Murei.
“We don’t understand where this push for vaccinating all livestock is coming from. It’s clear that this is a plan by certain people to enrich themselves, and we won’t accept it. We are tired of the government forcing policies on us,” Bowen said.
Bowen alleged that some individuals were misleading the government for personal gain and stressed the need for the government to consult with farmers and the public before implementing such policies, which they believe are damaging to the country.
Korogoren emphasized that the government should direct vaccination funds to address critical issues facing the agricultural sector, such as low maize prices, fake seeds, and fertilizer, as well as the potential collapse of New KCC.
“Looking at the situation, all sectors, including agriculture, are collapsing. We wonder where the government is leading us. We are heading in the wrong direction,” Korogoren said.
Mburu added that farmers had always vaccinated their livestock as necessary and rejected the plan because they believe there are more urgent concerns, such as the lack of quality healthcare and the enrollment challenges in the Social Health Authority (SHA).
Murei also questioned the priorities of the government, saying that the vaccination plan is not a pressing issue when farmers are struggling with low milk prices and high production costs.
“The price of milk is lower than the cost of production, and even water is more expensive than milk. We, as farmers, feel abandoned,” Murei said. He also criticized the ongoing distribution of fake seeds and fertilizer, which he said jeopardizes the country’s food security.
The farmers’ remarks came as Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Andrew Karanja urged Kenyans to support the vaccination drive, which will target over 22 million livestock nationwide. Karanja said the initiative aims to protect livestock from diseases like foot and mouth, which have frequently affected animals across the country.
Karanja explained that many counties have faced repeated outbreaks and ineffective individual vaccination campaigns, which the national initiative seeks to address.
“This vaccination drive is for the benefit of the country and will protect livestock from communicable diseases,” Karanja said, assuring the public that the vaccines will be safe and of high quality. He also dismissed claims made by some political leaders that the government has an ulterior motive.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has voiced concerns about a potential foreign agenda in the vaccination campaign, warning that it could alter the genetic structure of local livestock breeds and affect the health of Kenyans.
“This will have two major negative consequences: the deterioration of livelihoods in pastoralist communities and exposure to industrial meats with unknown health effects,” Kalonzo argued.
In response, Karanja reassured the public that the vaccines will be produced locally at the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (Kevevapi) and not imported from abroad.
President William Ruto has strongly criticized those opposing the vaccination plan, saying, “Anyone opposing the vaccination of livestock is mad, unreasonable, and possibly stupid. Or they don’t have cattle. If you don’t have cattle, shut up.”
The president defended the initiative, emphasizing that it will protect 22 million cattle, including his own, from diseases and boost livestock production across the country.
