A joint Kenya–Tanzania cross-border vaccination exercise targeting Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) has been launched at the Namanga border in Kajiado County, in a major step towards controlling transboundary animal diseases.
The initiative, dubbed the Pastoralism and Livestock Adaptation to Climate Change in Eastern Africa Programme (PLACE), seeks to promote sustainable and climate-resilient pastoral systems by addressing environmental, economic and social challenges facing pastoral communities.
The programme is being implemented under the EU-PLACE Project by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) Centre for Pastoral Areas and Livestock Development (ICPALD), in collaboration with the Directorate of Veterinary Services (Kenya) and the Office of the Chief Veterinary Officer (Tanzania), with support from the County Government of Kajiado.
The exercise follows the development of a joint cross-border vaccination calendar between Kenya and Tanzania, aimed at harmonizing disease control efforts.
Targeting goats and sheep, the campaign seeks to curb the spread of PPR, a highly contagious viral disease that affects small ruminants, particularly in border regions where livestock movement is frequent and largely uncontrolled.
During the launch, Kajiado County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Francis Sakuda, reaffirmed the county’s commitment to strengthening livestock disease control through collaboration with the national government and development partners.
He underscored the need for enhanced disease surveillance, increased vaccination coverage and timely veterinary response to safeguard pastoral livelihoods.
Sakuda also urged farmers to cooperate with veterinary officers by presenting their animals for vaccination and reporting any suspected disease outbreaks.
Chief Officer for Agriculture and Livestock, Francis Metian, said over 1,000 goats and sheep had been vaccinated during the exercise, terming the initiative a significant milestone in managing cross-border disease risks.
He noted that the presence of key livestock markets such as Ibissil, which serves traders from both Kenya and Tanzania, necessitates coordinated disease control measures adding that the ongoing rains have increased livestock mobility, making the vaccination exercise timely.
John Masikonte, one of the beneficiaries lauded the programme saying it will help in preventing cross border diseases as they usually move their livestock across the two countries in search of pasture.
The initiative highlights the importance of joint planning and synchronized implementation in addressing transboundary animal diseases, while strengthening cross-border collaboration between the two countries.
The PLACE project is expected to run until June 30, 2028, and will benefit at least 100,000 households.
It will be implemented across four cross-border clusters namely Bahr el-Arab, Karamoja, Mandera and Mara-Serengeti covering seven countries: Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda.
Beyond disease control, the programme is expected to enhance livestock productivity, improve food security and foster stronger community relations across borders.
By Diana Meneto
