Let experts lead jabs

The government’s massive plan to vaccinate 20 million cattle and 50 million smaller livestock, including goats and sheep, is being rolled out despite reservations in some quarters.

However, unlike when this idea of a mass vaccination was broached, it has not been made mandatory.

A key issue of concern has been the suspicious initiation of the scheme by the political leaders instead of the government’s agricultural and research experts leading the campaign.

It also comes at a time when four counties have been placed on quarantine over the deadly foot and mouth disease (FMD), with reports of possible outbreaks elsewhere. Clearly, vaccination is necessary to safeguard the livestock and sustain the beef and milk enterprises.

Besides the FMD, President William Ruto wants the livestock vaccinated against Peste Des Petits, which is an equally highly contagious disease.

Unless checked, these epidemics can cause the deaths of millions of cattle and goats and end up locking the country out of the lucrative export markets, including oil-rich Gulf countries.

Kenya's performance in the international markets has been significantly hampered by the FMD and hence the urgent need for vaccination.

However, the Kenya Veterinary Association says its questions on the vaccination programme, including the production of the vaccines, hiring of the personnel to administer the jabs, and the need for public participation have not been answered. It had questioned the need for mass vaccination.

The Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Allan Azegele, says that due to the threat of diseases, the mass vaccination cannot wait any longer.

The country risks losing billions in both domestic and international trade opportunities should the diseases not be controlled. County directors of veterinary services are expected to play a crucial role in the campaign.

The farmers should keenly listen to the experts, and not politicians, as the rollout of the livestock vaccination starts next week.