The Kericho County Government, through the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, has initiated a comprehensive cattle vaccination campaign targeting Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) following confirmed outbreaks in Soin/Sigowet and Kipkelion West sub-counties.
The campaign follows the imposition of a livestock quarantine in Soin/Sigowet Sub-County that began on July 3, 2025, which prohibits the operation of all livestock markets and restricts the movement of animals into and out of the affected areas until further notice.
According to a public notice issued by the Sigowet Sub-County Veterinary Office, the vaccination initiative targets communicable livestock diseases in high-risk zones.
The programme is being coordinated by Sub-County Veterinary Officers, with vaccination schedules already shared with farmers.
The County Government is urging all livestock keepers to participate in the subsidized vaccination drive, emphasizing its importance in curbing disease transmission and protecting the local agricultural economy.
Speaking to KNA, Kipkelion West Subcounty Veterinary Officer, Dennis Kimutai, confirmed that the disease outbreak in Kipkelion West began at the onset of this month affecting all the four wards in the sub county, with Kunyak Ward being the hardest hit.
Kimutai stated that vaccinations in the region will be conducted in all wards, subject to vaccine availability.
The weekly campaign will begin in Kapkwen Location, followed by Kapkoros, with other locations to be announced in due course.
He said that a total of 15,000 vaccine doses are available for the six sub-counties, with Kipkelion west expected to vaccinate slightly over 3,000 cattle.
“Each affected location will undergo vaccination for approximately one week, depending on vaccine availability. The vaccination exercise is being carried out concurrently across all six sub-counties in the affected areas,” said Kimutai.
The vaccination campaign in Soin/Sigowet Sub-County began today and will run until July 17, targeting high-risk areas including Kaptessa, Korongui, Kiptugumo, Koyabei, and surrounding locations.
By Hillary Kemei
