Government Faces Pushback Over Mass Cattle Vaccination

The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) has appealed to the government to suspend the mass cattle vaccination set to begin in January next year, citing opposition from Kenyans. Speaking to the media, the chairperson of the association, Dr Kelvin Osore, stated that KVA was not involved during its development of the program.

"Even as Kenya Veterinary Association, our opinion has only been sought after the program has received controversy from the public, so we are not involved in the conception of the idea," he stated

Additionally, the association is demanding transparency, stating that Kenyans deserve to know which disease the vaccine targets, how long the program will run, and the sponsors of the program. In addition, they are calling on the government to avoid using harsh rhetoric to force public acceptance of the vaccine.

The association further states that some of the diseases identified by the government are localized and do not justify the nationwide vaccination campaign. They are now calling for the program's suspension and asking the government to prioritize other pressing issues affecting the livestock sector.

President Ruto has been strongly advocating for the mass vaccination exercise targeting 22 million cattle and 50 million sheep and goats. 

Speaking during the Pastrolists Leadership Summit in Wajir, the head of state argued that managing disease prevalence is critical and opening up international markets for Kenya's livestock products is vital.

"Foot and mouth disease and PPR are diseases we have been fighting ever since I was born. It is nothing new, so anybody opposing vaccination to eliminate FMD and PPR is simply mad and unreasonable and possibly stupid," the head of state remarked.

The push and pull between the government and the Kenya Veterinary Association continues to spark heated debates, and concerns about the safety and well-being of animals and the ineffectiveness of the vaccination strategy continue to rise.