Kitui County Government has launched a Sh26 million subsidised mass livestock vaccination campaign against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in an effort to protect livestock-based livelihoods and enhance food security across the county.
The countywide vaccination exercise was officially launched on Saturday in Nuu Ward, Mwingi East Sub-County in Kitui County, in partnership with Ngatanio ya Aimi Community-Based Organisation, and will cover all 40 wards in the county.
Speaking while presiding over the launching ceremony, the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock Dr. Stephen Mbaya said Foot and Mouth Disease is among the most economically damaging livestock diseases, often resulting in reduced productivity, loss of income and frequent closure of livestock markets.
Dr. Mbaya noted that while the national prevalence of FMD stands at 52.5 per cent, Kitui County’s prevalence is 28.8 per cent, adding that the figures showed progress but underscored the need for sustained preventive measures.
He said the disease causes annual economic losses of up to Sh3.62 billion nationally, with pastoralist and mixed farming communities being the most affected.
The CECM announced that the vaccination exercise would commence on February 2, 2026, targeting over 245,000 cattle across all 40 wards, including animals not captured in the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management Information Systems (KIAMIS) database.
The programme will be implemented by trained and licensed veterinary officers using vaccines supplied by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI).
“To make the exercise affordable, the county government has subsidised the cost of vaccination from Sh160 to Sh50 per animal,” said Dr. Mbaya, adding that the funds would be administered through cooperatives.
He urged farmers to join organised groups to benefit from the subsidy and to present all eligible cattle for vaccination.
The vaccination drive spearheaded jointly by the National government and the Kitui County government will be implemented through an e-voucher system to enhance transparency and accountability.
The County Agriculture and Livestock Department boss said the programme complements other ongoing animal health interventions aimed at improving livestock productivity and reducing disease outbreaks.
The county government CECM noted that the vaccination campaign is expected to reduce disease outbreaks, stabilise livestock markets and support household incomes.
The county official underscored that the programme is part of Governor Dr. Julius Malombe’s development agenda aimed at strengthening agricultural systems and shielding farmers from losses caused by preventable livestock diseases.
The event was also attended by Deputy County Commissioner for Mwingi East John Kipsia, Nuu OCS Peter Adero, Chief Officers Jonathan Kyambi (Livestock) and Stephen Salee (in charge of Decentralised Units), Directors Francis Kitoo (Agriculture) and his livestock counterpart Dr. Kamonzo, Mwingi Central Sub-County Administrator Justus Kivuvo, local administrators, local county veterinary officers and farmers.
By Rachel Kithome
