Fight against livestock diseases in the North Rift and Western Kenya is set to receive a major boost following the unveiling of the Notifiable and Transboundary Animal Disease Control Policy.
The policy that was launched on Friday in Eldoret town will be used for devolved units in the North Rift and Lake Region Economic Blocs.
Speaking during the event, North Rift Economic Bloc (NOREB) chairman who is also the Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago said the policy will also help enhance livestock productivity and animal husbandry across the region.
According to Mandago, Livestock is a key sector and if well managed, it can contribute immensely to the region’s economic growth.
“Livestock sector can contribute up to 40 percent of the GDP. Today it contributes 30 percent of GDP and 40-60 percent of employment in the country,” noted the county boss.
He pointed out that livestock production has been under threat due to transboundary diseases which will be a thing of the past once the policy is fully implemented.
With the Notifiable and Transboundary Animal Disease Control Policy, regular closure of livestock markets in the North Rift and Lake Region Economic Block (LREB) will also be addressed.
Elgeyo Marakwet Governor Eng. Alex Tolgos on his part insisted that counties should now focus on fully implementing the policy and called on the national government to help in actualizing the document.
“We have the resources, we have the will and we now have the policy, the only thing remaining is implementation,” Eng. Tolgos noted.