The Government has urged livestock farmers in Kericho County to get ready for a mass Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination campaign, targeting more than 230,000 animals under the E-Voucher System supported by the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).
Speaking during this year’s Jamhuri Day Celebrations at Kalyet Village, Kipkelion Ward, in Kipkelion West Sub-County, the Kericho County Commissioner (CC) Mr. Jeremiah Mwai Gicheru, urged all farmers to register their livestock and ensure compliance with the vaccination directive.
He added that the most compliant Sub- County will receive formal recognition for exemplary mobilisation performance.
At the same time, the County Commissioner directed all National Government Administration Officers (NGAO) across the County, to work closely with veterinary personnel to support efficient and smooth coordination of the crucial exercise that will kick off on a date to be announced.
He emphasised that the immunisation effort remains a top government priority, because strengthening herd immunity is vital for protecting livelihoods and stabilising the county’s livestock-driven economy.
“We are calling on every livestock keeper to participate fully, because safeguarding animals from FMD is safeguarding the income and future of our farming communities,” he said.
Mr Gicheru disclosed that security agencies are intensifying surveillance in all coffee factories and collaborating with management committees to curb theft and ensure agricultural assets remain protected.
He warned that the production, sale, and consumption of illicit brews will be met with sustained enforcement operations, urging residents to celebrate the festive season responsibly and to avoid preventable harm.
CC warned that Gender-Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation, and other harmful cultural practices are serious crimes, revealing that multi-agency teams are scaling up interventions to safeguard vulnerable groups.
The County Commissioner urged the residents to support the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by aligning their activities with key pillars such as health, housing, agriculture, MSMEs, and the digital superhighway.
“As leaders, we are concerned about rising school dropout cases within the County, and we urge parents and administrators to ensure that no child is left behind because losing human capital undermines community progress,” he said.
Gicheru urged residents to intensify tree-growing efforts in support of the national target of 15 billion trees by 2032, as part of the government’s long-term environmental restoration programme.
The County Commissioner delivered the President’s Jamhuri Day speech during the colourful ceremony attended by Deputy Governor Engineer Fred Kirui, Members of the County Assembly, County Executive Committee Members, and the National government officials.
By Kibe Mburu and Hillary Kemei
