Kalonzo: Kenyans must reject Ruto’s countrywide livestock vaccination plan
Wiper party leader Kalonzo Musyoka addresses journalists at SKM Command Centre in Karen on November 15, 2024.
What you need to know:
- President said 22 million cows and 50 million goats and sheep will undergo mandatory vaccination
- He added that the programme would bolster livestock health and secure access to international markets for livestock products
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has asked Kenyans to reject the proposed national livestock vaccination programme in the country.
The former vice president claimed the vaccination campaign is funded by foreign research institutions seeking to introduce gene-modifying drugs into Kenyan livestock.
President William Ruto said in Samburu last week that 22 million cows and 50 million goats and sheep in the country will undergo a mandatory vaccination to bolster livestock health and secure access to international markets for livestock products.
But speaking on Friday, Mr Musyoka said the vaccination campaign has been rejected in many countries and that its introduction will impact the genetic composition of livestock, particularly down the generation with the birth of animals with defects and malformations.
He spoke at the SKM Command Centre alongside other opposition politicians, among them Eugene Wamwalwa, Jeremiah Kioni and Ferdinand Waititu.
The leaders also sided with the Catholic bishops in their scathing critique of Dr Ruto’s government on Thursday.
Rejected everywhere
On the vaccination programme, Mr Musyoka said: “People behind this plan do not carry out the same vaccination programmes in their own nations, where they have considerably more animals than Kenya and are therefore greater contributors to harmful climate change.
“Indeed, we take note with alarm that these vaccinations developed overseas have been rejected everywhere else in the world, including their home country, the United States of America.”
The former vice president also claimed that the vaccination is a ploy by the government to eliminate livestock production and introduce synthetic meat into the country.
“The scheme is to eradicate farm animal production entirely. They will end production of beef and other bovine meats as we have traditionally known them in the country. The proprietors of these projects seek to replace farm foods with industrially generated synthetic meats,” said Mr Musyoka.
He also urged those owning livestock to reject the proposed programme.
“We urge you to oppose this nefarious act by this dangerous and unpopular regime. Pastoralists and other livestock owners have a responsibility to preserve their animals and livelihoods. Do not allow anyone to get near your animal in the pretext of vaccination,” said the Wiper Party leader.
President Ruto, while announcing the launch of the programme, said the government has also allocated Sh1 billion to restock livestock lost to drought in northern Kenya.
He also said the State will purchase 55,000 goats and sheep to distribute to affected farmers to support recovery.
