Veterinary officers vaccinating livestock in Dertu, Dadaab sub-county/STEPHEN ASTARIKO
Livestock
and agriculture executive Milgo Dubow speaking during the launch of the vaccination exercise./STEPHEN ASTARIKOGarissa County has launched the second phase of the mass livestock vaccination campaign targeting camels, cows, goats and sheep.
Agriculture executive Milgo Dubow said the campaign seeks to safeguard the health of animals and boost the livelihoods of thousands of pastoralists.
She spoke in Dertu, Dadaab subcounty, on Monday.
Just like the other pastoralist counties, in Garissa, livestock production is the dominant economic activity and plays an integral role in driving the local economy.
More than 80 per cent of the population depends on livestock for their livelihoods and food security.
The exercise that will target Dertu and Liboi seeks to vaccinate animals against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), which have in the past caused heavy losses to herders.
“Livestock farming is the backbone of our economy. Protecting our animals from preventable diseases is key to improving food security and household income. As a county, we will do everything possible to make sure our farmers do not incur losses,” Dubow said.
She urged herders to take full advantage of the exercise by availing their animals for the free vaccination.
“I want to urge members of the public, in particular the pastoralists, to take advantage of the free vaccination and supportive treatment for their livestock. This initiative is a crucial step towards improving livestock health, strengthening livelihoods and enhancing the resilience of pastoral communities in the region. We want to make sure every animal is vaccinated,” the CEC said.
During his state of the county address in August, Garissa Governor Nathif Jama said his administration has continuously allocated a substantial amount of money to the sector, which he described as the county's “heartbeat”.
He cited large-scale vaccination campaigns, new water pans and boreholes and livestock markets across subcounties as evidence of sustained investment.
Herders in the county have been counting losses following heavy rainfall that has been pounding the region in the past week.
Many of the livestock, especially goats and sheep that were too weak, could not withstand heavy rain and the cold.
The pastoralists are still reeling from the effects of the drought that claimed hundreds of livestock.
