Trans Nzoia County government has set aside Ksh10 million for vaccination of livestock against Foot and Mouth Disease that has affected several farmers across the county.
Speaking at Bishop Muge Cattle Dip in Kwanza during the count-wide launch of the vaccination drive, Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development County Executive Committee Member (CECM) Phanice Khatundi urged farmers to ensure all their cattle, sheep and goats are vaccinated against the infectious disease.
Khatundi said her department targets to vaccinate over 175,000 cows, 160,000 sheep, and 85000 goats against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) and Blue Tongue Disease.
“Apart from maize farming, we are also known for livestock keeping and we cannot keep quiet while Foot and Mouth Disease wreak havoc on our farmers’ livelihoods and that is why we launched this vaccination drive,” the County Executive said.
Contain spread to other counties
She further said the drive is one element of animal health and ensures the disease does not cross over to neighbouring Uasin Gishu, West Pokot, Kakamega, Bungoma, Elgeyo Marakwet counties and eastern Uganda.
Livestock and Fisheries Chief Officer Patrick Osoro said that the county has mapped out all the areas prone to the disease and urged livestock farmers to collaborate with veterinary officers in the fight against the disease.
Stephen Sambata, a dairy farmer said the disease that broke out in mid-December has affected several livestock farmers and urged the county to put in place a surveillance team.
“While we appreciate what the county is doing to contain the further spread of this deadly disease, we would want to have a standby surveillance team in place that will ensure we are safe as county,” Sambata said.
Foot and Mouth Disease is a transboundary animal viral disease that is found in all excretions and secretions from infected animals. It affects cattle, swine, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed ruminants.
In September 2023, the government of Kenya revealed that it will spend Ksh37 billion to vaccinate livestock in five years.
