Kenya Steps Up Efforts to Boost Ruminant Vaccination as Government Targets Stronger Livestock Health

By Esther Murigi

Kenya has increased efforts to scale up vaccination of ruminants across the country, in a major national drive aimed at preventing recurring livestock diseases that have, in past years, cost farmers billions of shillings.

The campaign, led by the State Department for Livestock Development, targets over 18 million cattle, 26 million goats, and 9 million sheep, which form the backbone of pastoral and smallholder farming livelihoods.

Livestock Principal Secretary Dr. Harry Kimtai, speaking during an inspection tour in Kajiado County, said the government plans to vaccinate at least 70 percent of the national herd by mid-2025.

Dr. Kimtai said that the diseases, especially Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Rift Valley Fever (RVF), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), CCPP, and others, have previously resulted in annual economic losses estimated at KSh 15–20 billion.

The programme prioritizes counties historically likely to experience outbreaks. Data from the Directorate of Veterinary Services shows that between 2020 and 2023, Kenya recorded over 420 FMD outbreaks, 320 confirmed cases of PPR, and periodic RVF alerts in pastoral counties, including Garissa, Wajir, and Tana River.

Officials say these patterns underscore the need for sustained vaccination and observation, especially following the recent recovery from the prolonged drought that killed more than 2.5 million livestock nationally.

In Turkana County, officials report that the ongoing vaccination exercise has already covered 650,000 goats and 230,000 cattle in the last three weeks alone.

However, Samburu County has vaccinated over 400,000 animals, while Garissa and Marsabit counties are reporting weekly coverage targets ranging between 80,000 and 120,000 animals.

To improve reach, the Ministry has deployed 64 mobile veterinary units to track migratory pastoralists, ensuring that herds moving across county borders receive timely protection.

Community animal health workers, over 1,500 trained under county programmes, are also playing a key role in the door-to-door vaccination and disease reporting system.

Farmers say the large-scale effort is long overdue. In Narok, a major FMD outbreak earlier this year caused livestock market closures and led to an estimated KSh 200 million in lost trade.

County governments are also tightening inspection. Kajiado County Executive for Agriculture and Livestock, Janet Sinkeet, said the county has allocated KSh 45 million this financial year for surveillance, farmer training, and laboratory testing.

To sustain supply, the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) has projected a 40 percent increase in local vaccine production over the next year, which officials say will reduce shortages and cut dependency on imports.

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The Author is Esther Murigi certified Broadcast Journalist