Livestock keepers in Elelea Ward, Turkana East Sub-County, have welcomed a mass livestock vaccination and supportive treatment campaign aimed at improving animal health, controlling diseases and expanding access to domestic and international livestock markets.
The 10-day exercise, being implemented through a partnership between the Turkana County Government and GENCO Livestock and Fresh Meat Export Ltd, targets the vaccination and treatment of more than 100,000 animals in Elelea, Karoge and Lokapel.
The campaign focuses on protecting livestock against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious viral disease affecting sheep and goats, as well as other common livestock diseases.
Kamar Lojao, a livestock keeper from Echoke Village, said the exercise would help reduce livestock losses caused by disease outbreaks and improve household incomes that depend on livestock production.
Community Disease Reporter (CDR) Ngitira Ekitela said PPR and tick-borne diseases remain the most common livestock diseases in Elelea and neighbouring areas.
While welcoming the vaccination programme, Ekitela appealed to the County Government to provide acaricides to help pastoralists control tick infestations and further improve livestock health.
During a supervision visit, the Director of Veterinary Services, Dr Benson Long’or, said the campaign had made significant progress, with more than 30,000 animals vaccinated and treated within the first three days.
“We have vaccinated and treated over 30,000 animals in Elelea and Lokapel within three days. With the continued cooperation of livestock keepers, we expect to surpass our target of 100,000 animals by the end of the campaign,” said Dr Long’or.
He said the vaccination and supportive treatment programme is designed to produce disease-free animals at the farm gate, enabling pastoralists to access premium local and export markets while strengthening the livestock value chain.
Dr Long’or added that the County Government had provided vaccines, dewormers, veterinary equipment and technical personnel to ensure the success of the campaign.
The exercise follows a consultative meeting held in Lodwar between officials from the County Department of Livestock and GENCO Livestock and Fresh Meat Export Ltd to strengthen livestock disease control initiatives in Turkana.
GENCO veterinarian Dr Sibiah Ratemo praised the commitment of county veterinary officers and community mobilisers, saying the partnership had attracted a high turnout of pastoralists at designated vaccination points.
He also commended women for their role in mobilising communities and encouraged their increased participation in future livestock health campaigns to improve outreach and disease control efforts.
By Peter Gitonga
