Wajir launches livestock vaccination drive targeting 250,000 animals

Wajir County has launched a 10-day livestock vaccination campaign targeting 250,000 animals as part of efforts to control major infectious diseases affecting pastoral livelihoods.

The campaign, implemented through the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, is targeting Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in cattle, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goats, and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in goats.

Speaking on Tuesday during the launch, Livestock and Agriculture Executive Farah Saman said the programme forms part of the administration’s broader strategy to strengthen animal health systems and cushion pastoralist households whose livelihoods largely depend on livestock.

“This intervention is designed to strengthen disease prevention systems in the livestock sector, which is the backbone of livelihoods in the arid region,” he said.

Saman said the exercise will cover all six subcounties and is expected to reach 200,000 sheep and goats and 50,000 cattle over the next 10 days.

He further disclosed that, in addition to vaccinations, the programme will include mass deworming and treatment of sick and weak animals.

He said the initiative reflects the department’s commitment not only to addressing immediate livestock health challenges but also to strengthening resilience, improving productivity and supporting sustainable livelihoods for livestock keepers across the county.

“Healthy animals mean better market value, increased milk and meat production, and improved livelihoods for our pastoralist families,” he said.

The initiative is being implemented in partnership with the national government under the E-Voucher Livestock Vaccination Programme, supported by the Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP).

It also receives support from the British Red Cross through the Kenya Red Cross Society. Under the e-voucher system, the Foot and Mouth Disease vaccine will be administered at a subsidised cost of Sh50 per head of cattle, while the PPR vaccine will cost Sh3 per sheep or goat.

Other vaccines and treatment drugs will be provided free of charge, according to the county statement.

Livestock diseases such as FMD and PPR are recurrent threats in northern Kenya, often leading to significant economic losses for pastoralists who depend heavily on animal health for income, food security and trade.

Veterinary officials have, in previous campaigns, warned that outbreaks can spread rapidly across communal grazing areas if not controlled early.

The use of subsidised vaccination programmes and donor-supported interventions has become a key strategy in Kenya’s arid and semi-arid regions, where limited veterinary access and mobility challenges often hinder routine animal health services.

The campaign is expected to conclude after 10 days, with officials aiming to achieve high coverage across all targeted livestock populations.

More than 80 per cent of the population depends on livestock for livelihoods and food security.

The sector also accounts for 75 per cent of employment in rural areas, earning the county approximately Sh10.5 billion annually from livestock products.

Livestock and Agriculture executive Farah Saman speaking ahead of the exercise./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Veterinary officials readying themselves for the vaccination exercise. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO

A Veterinary officer vaccinating goats./STEPHEN ASTARIKO