At least 200,000 livestock are targeted for free mass vaccination launched by the county government of Lamu this week.
The exercise, which is in its second phase, will cover the entire county and targets cattle, goats, sheep, donkeys and dogs to protect them from drought-related health challenges.
The first phase took place in March and April this year where more than 100,000 livestock were vaccinated.
Lamu county chief livestock officer Gichohi Mathenge said the campaign intends to protect livestock from diseases like the Contagious Bovine Pleural Pneumonia, Black Quarter and Anthrax in cattle and Contagious Caprine Pleural Pneumonia together with annual Pestis Petit du Ruminant (PPR/Sheep and Goat Plague) in sheep and goats.
Donkeys and dogs will equally receive rabies shots.
Mathenge said the county government had set aside Sh10 million to undertake various livestock interventions, including the intended vaccination exercise during the drought period.
He admitted that the county had faced hurdles in trying to control livestock diseases owing to the huge influx of livestock from neighbouring Garissa and Tana River counties.
“We commence the second vaccination drive in a week’s time. The exercise targets 50,000 cattle, 60,000 goats, 40,000 sheep, 6,000 dogs and 4,000 donkeys. If we get support, we could also vaccinate livestock from neighbouring counties that are currently in Lamu,” Mathenge said.
He urged livestock owners to present their animals for the crucial shots as they are free.
“We already have our officers on the ground conducting assessment before we commence. We have the drugs and all other necessities ready for this,” Mathenge said.
The move is a relief for livestock farmers, especially pastoralists who have been losing thousands of their livestock to the ongoing drought, which has caused depleted pasture and water.
Lamu livestock owners have also asked the county and national governments to find ways of stopping the migration of livestock from neighbouring counties into Lamu.
They said the situation is the cause of increased livestock diseases.
“Let them do something on the borders and ensure no livestock from Tana River or Garissa comes into Lamu,” Khalif Hiribae said.
-Edited by SKanyara
