The nationwide livestock vaccination programme scheduled for January 2025 will go on as planned despite propaganda and fake news peddled by some leaders, President William Ruto has announced.
Speaking during the annual Kimalel Goat Auction in Baringo County on Tuesday December 17, 2024, President Ruto said detractors opposed to the programme will not stop its implementation.
He said the government will proceed with the vaccination, noting that farmers deserve quality animals whose products are on demand globally.
“We are determined to carry out the vaccination programme for our livestock in an effort to increase prices for our livestock products and meet international market standards,” he said.
He explained that failure to vaccinate livestock has become an impediment to local meat products accessing markets in the region and abroad due to disease prevalence.
The President pointed out that local vaccines produced in Kenya will be used to boost animal health and meat export potential, saying those opposed should also give their alternatives.
“We are using vaccines produced locally by Kenyan scientists with knowledge in this field,” he said.
The President told leaders opposed to development to spare livestock and farmers of their theatrics and explore other avenues to play opposition politics.
“Leaders who have no understanding of the livestock sector and agriculture should spare us their ignorance. You can’t use disinformation and fake news to deny Kenyans international markets by discouraging vaccination of their animals,” President Ruto said.
He went on: “If it’s not dangerous to vaccinate humans, how can it be dangerous to vaccinate animals? Please give us a break.”
Meanwhile, the President commended leaders, security officers and residents along the Kerio Valley for working together to ensure peace in the region.
He said insecurity challenges in the recent past occasioned by banditry and cattle rustling had retarded the development of education and agriculture, among other sectors, in the region.
“The power of unity, power of agreement and the power of working together has changed the destiny of our people in this region. Perennial problems can also be solved through the power of unity, ” President Ruto pointed out.
“As Kenyans, we should embrace one another and work together for the sake of peace and prosperity,” he added.
He also commended Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, who was present, for his tireless efforts in implementing government policies in the search for peace when he was Interior Cabinet Secretary.
President Ruto told the residents of Baringo that KSh50 million will be used to establish a livestock training centre in the county.
He also urged all Kenyans to register for the Social Health Authority, saying the insurance scheme will transform the health sector.
At the same time Prof Kindiki urged Kenyans to ignore the propaganda being peddled by some individuals about the impending nationwide livestock vaccination and support the exercise.
“Let’s ignore the propaganda about the vaccination and support the exercise for healthy animals whose quality products meet standards for the international market,” he said.
