Uasin Gishu county has launched an e-voucher programme aimed at helping livestock farmers access vaccines in the fight against diseases that affect production.
The move is set to transform animal health management and in tackling diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease and East Coast Fever through vaccination.
The initiative, launched in Sergoit ward, is being piloted in collaboration with the national government and will be implemented through local cooperatives, starting with Tuiyotich Cooperative Society.
It allows farmers to redeem digital vouchers for livestock vaccines, similar to the system currently used for fertiliser distribution.
Speaking during the launch, Governor Jonathan Bii said the project was a proactive step towards tackling livestock diseases.
"We are proud as a county to be the ones piloting this commendable idea. This is one way of ensuring better health for our animals and improved productivity for our farmers," he said.
The governor said livestock production was a major sector in the region that contributes to the growth of the economy.
Vaccination will be offered through local cooperatives, where farmers will pay Sh17 per animal instead of Sh150.
The pilot implementation targets 20,000 animals to be funded with Sh 2.7 million through Tuiyotich Cooperative.
Agriculture PS Kiprono Rono, who was present, commended the county for setting a national precedent.
“Uasin Gishu is once again showing leadership in agricultural innovation,” he said.
Rono noted that the government was keen to grow both crop and livestock production.
“This e-voucher system also speaks directly to our mission under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda to modernise and digitise services for farmers at the grassroots,” the PS said.
The programme is expected to expand to other wards across the county, with lessons from the pilot informing broader implementation.
During the launch, the governor also introduced Juncao fodder to improve animal feed.
He also distributed 21 motorbikes for extension services and handed out 33,000 coffee seedlings as part of his call for diversification.
The county aims to distribute over one million seedlings for farmers.
