The County Government of Nandi has rolled out a digital livestock vaccination campaign to eradicate Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), aimed at strengthening animal traceability and positioning Nandi as a disease-free livestock zone.
The exercise, launched at Dr. Rotich’s farm in Biribiriet village, Lelmokwo/Ngechek Ward, Chesumei Sub-County, was presided over by Governor Stephen Sang, alongside officials from the Presidential Economic Transformation Secretariat (PETS) led by Dr. David Kios.
The initiative, part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), integrates digital registration and e-voucher vaccination to ensure every animal is protected and traceable, a move expected to open premium local and international markets for Kenyan livestock products.
Nandi County’s economy is predominantly agricultural, with more than 75 percent of households depending on farming and livestock rearing as their main source of income.
The region is one of Kenya’s leading producers of milk, tea, and horticultural crops, contributing significantly to food security and rural employment.
The livestock subsector alone supports thousands of smallholder farmers, generating an estimated Sh10 billion annually from dairy production.
The county’s vast highlands and favourable climate make it ideal for dairy farming, which continues to drive household incomes and rural development.
Sang emphasised that protecting livestock health through vaccination is crucial to sustaining this agricultural foundation and boosting farmers’ livelihoods.
He said the campaign targets 100 percent vaccination coverage within one month, noting that the digital system uses cow muzzle recognition technology, a tamper-proof biometric identification tool that links each animal to its rightful owner.
“This digital vaccination campaign marks a new era in livestock management. We are ensuring our animals are protected, our farmers empowered, and our products competitive globally,” said Sang, a second-term governor.
He reassured farmers that the FMD vaccine was safe, urging full cooperation to achieve total coverage and restore confidence in livestock production.
“Let us take this vaccination seriously to ensure we have a disease-free zone. It is a safe vaccine, and with full participation, we can open better markets and protect farmer incomes,” he said.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to working closely with the national government to make Nandi a model livestock county.
Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) is a highly contagious viral infection that affects cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.
It causes blisters in the mouth and feet, leading to drooling, lameness, and reduced milk production. Severe outbreaks often result in heavy economic losses due to movement restrictions and trade bans on affected livestock and products.
Veterinary experts noted that consistent vaccination is the most effective way to control and eliminate FMD, ensuring healthier herds and steady milk yields.
Dr Allan Azegele, the Director of Veterinary Services, highlighted that controlling FMD and other livestock diseases is critical to unlocking the full potential of the livestock sector, adding that Nandi produces over 200 million litres of milk annually
“The dairy and meat value chains remain our top priority. By controlling diseases, we can secure farmer incomes and open up new export opportunities for Kenya,” he said.
He added that Nandi will soon receive 27 new milk coolers from the National Government to boost storage capacity and reduce post-harvest losses.
Dr David Kios from PETS said the national vaccination programme targets 22 million cattle countrywide, urging farmers to join cooperatives to benefit from economies of scale and improved access to markets.
“Organised farmers stand to gain the most through cooperatives and producer organisations. This ensures collective bargaining and shared benefits across the value chain,” said Dr Kios.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture Dr. Kiplimo Arap Lagat termed the initiative a major milestone in livestock disease management.
“This programme safeguards farmers’ livelihoods. It is affordable, efficient, and transformative. Let’s turn out in large numbers to vaccinate all animals and protect our herds,” said Dr Lagat.
Farmers who attended the launch expressed optimism that the digital vaccination programme would restore confidence in livestock farming and improve productivity.
Emily Chelimo, a dairy farmer from Biribiriet, said the initiative is timely.
“We have lost animals and income in the past due to outbreaks. Knowing my cows are now registered and traceable gives me peace of mind. It’s encouraging that we can now sell milk and animals to bigger markets,” she said.
Kiptoo Langat, another livestock farmer from Lelmokwo, noted that the biometric registration would also deter livestock thefts, a common challenge for pastoral and dairy farmers.
“This is a breakthrough. Once every cow has a digital identity, no one can steal or sell animals illegally. It also means our children will inherit well-documented herds,” he said.
The vaccination campaign comes as Nandi continues to strengthen its dairy sector through the Nandi Dairy Cooperative Factory in Kabiyet, one of the largest milk processing plants in the region.
The factory, which processes over 100,000 litres of milk daily, has significantly boosted farmers’ incomes by providing a reliable market and fair prices for milk producers.
Through organized cooperatives, farmers are now able to supply milk consistently, earn bonuses, and access animal feeds and inputs at subsidized rates.
The County Government, in partnership with the National Government, plans to expand the plant’s capacity to 200,000 litres per day, with a focus on producing value-added products such as yogurt, butter, and cheese for both local and export markets.
Sang noted that a healthy, vaccinated herd will ensure a steady milk supply to the factory, increase earnings, and create employment opportunities across the value chain.
The digital vaccination and registration campaign is expected to revolutionize livestock management in Nandi by enhancing disease surveillance, promoting better breeding, and improving record-keeping.
With healthier animals and disease-free certification, officials expect a sharp rise in milk production within the next few years. This will attract private investment and create new market opportunities for dairy, meat, and leather industries.
The programme will also integrate farmers into national livestock databases, allowing them to access veterinary support, insurance, and credit services more efficiently.
By Linet Wafula
