Kenyans Warned Of The Rising Threat Of Livestock Diseases
Kenyans Warned Of The Rising Threat Of Livestock Diseases
The Governments Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura says there is a Food and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Kakamega, West Pokot and Trans Nzoia Counties.
In a media briefing, Mwaura noted that the outbreak in Trans Nzoia was reported in November 2024 in Cherangany, Kwanza, Kiminini, Saboti and Endebess Sub-Counties.
Samples were taken and submitted to National FMD Referral Laboratory for analysis where type O serotype was isolated.
The outbreak was later reported in Chepararia area of West Pokot County in January 2025 whilst the reported cases in Kakamega were in Shinyalu and Malava Sub-Counties.
The Kakamega outbreak was diagnosed clinically and is awaiting laboratory confirmation.
Mwaura assured Kenyans that “The Government has invoked control measures as stipulated in the Animal Diseases Control Act (Cap 364) in order to control and manage these outbreaks.”
A quarantine has consequently, been imposed on the movement of the animals in the affected areas to prevent further spread of the disease.
Additionally, Shinyalu and Lubao livestock markets in Kakamega County, Chepareria livestock market in West Pokot County and Sikhendu and Sibanga livestock markets in Trans Nzoia County have been closed indefinitely.
Ring vaccination is being carried out in these areas ahead of the national vaccination exercise. In Kakamega County, 2,500 heads of cattle, 200 sheep and goats and 19 pigs have been vaccinated while the veterinary department in Trans Nzoia County has received 4, 000 doses of the FMD vaccines and plans to roll out the vaccination in due course even as farmers are being encouraged to also continue vaccinating their flocks privately.
The FMD is a highly contagious viral infection causing substantial losses in milk production, reproduction, and growth, while Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) affects sheep and goats, with infection rates running up to 90 percent with a mortality rates of up to 70 percent.
The perennial livestock disease outbreaks in the country is a major setback to the livestock sub – sector as it threatens not only the health of millions of animals but also the livelihoods of farmers and the broader economy. To avert this, the Government is in the final stages to roll out a national livestock vaccination program.
Kenyans Warned Of The Rising Threat Of Livestock Diseases
THE NATIONAL LIVESTOCK VACCINATION PROGRAM
This program is essential considering that recurrent outbreaks of diseases such as FMD, lumpy skin disease, pneumonia, and anthrax have hindered farmers from fully exploiting the lucrative European and Middle East export markets.
Strict health regulations and safety concerns have kept Kenyan livestock products from reaching their potential in these markets and we must attain better standards if the recently signed trade agreements for livestock products have to hold.
This has created bottlenecks, stifling the country’s growth and the sector’s ability to unlock its economic promise.
FMD and PPR are classified as “trade-sensitive” Trans-boundary animal diseases by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), therefore, the level of Kenya’s prevention and control status of these diseases determines if Kenya’s livestock and livestock products can access international markets.
Kenyans Warned Of The Rising Threat Of Livestock Diseases
Vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent and control FMD and PPR diseases, ensuring healthy livestock while safeguarding livelihoods.
“The government is thus rolling out a nationwide immunization exercise targeting 22 million cattle against FMD and 50 million sheep and goats against PPR. This initiative aims at open up lucrative export markets while ensuring food security, economic stability, and enhanced farmer earnings” Said Mwaura
The government reiterates that The National Livestock Vaccination Program is voluntary and no farmer will be forced to have their flock vaccinated.
The vaccines to be used for this program are locally manufactured by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), ensuring high safety and efficacy standards.
To further address challenges in the livestock sector, the government has introduced a livestock insurance policy to protect farmers from losses during droughts and calamities.
Measures have also been put in place to stimulate commercial feed production, addressing the current annual feed deficit of 60 percent (33 million metric tons) and reducing the 40 percent post-harvest feed losses.
The government is also developing an Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC) to further advance this sector.
This system will improve market access for livestock and livestock products as well as enabling producers to access credit and insurance using identified livestock as collateral and curb livestock theft and illegal movement
