The Department of Veterinary Services in Homa Bay County has launched a mass vaccination campaign to protect livestock against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
Homa Bay County Director of Veterinary Services, Charles Oduor, said the county experiences outbreaks of the disease at least twice a year. He noted that vaccinating livestock will enable farmers to market clean meat and access international markets, which often ban imports from regions where livestock diseases are uncontrolled.
“Foot and Mouth Disease kills about 20 per cent of infected young animals, but it affects 100 per cent of the herd,” Dr. Oduor said.
He added that at least 70 per cent of a herd should be vaccinated, though ideally all animals should receive the jab. “It ensures farmers have a healthy herd whose meat can be sold locally and internationally,” he noted.
The vaccination drive, supported by the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), targets at least 206,000 animals registered in 2023 through the Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System (KIAMIS). Farmers are required to pay a nominal fee of Sh 50 per animal.
Governor Gladys Wanga reaffirmed her administration’s commitment to eradicating livestock diseases, emphasizing that vaccines are much cheaper than market rates.
“It is therefore important for all farmers to vaccinate their animals. Those that do not risk spreading the disease further while we focus on elimination,” Wanga said.
Homa Bay County Agriculture and Livestock Chief Officer, Judith Ombok, said the department is updating the farmer register to capture new data, noting that some animals may have died or been born since the previous census.
“This is a major milestone in animal health management in the county,” Ms. Ombok said. She added that her department also plans to conduct a mass vaccination against Lumpy Skin Disease.
By Davis Langat
