NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 27 – Agricultural stakeholders have urged the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) to disclose detailed information about the vaccines set to be used in the planned nationwide livestock vaccination program.
In a letter addressed to KEVEVAPI Managing Director Enock Joseph Aura through J. Harrison Kinyanjui and Co. Advocates, the stakeholders demanded clarity on the type, components, and number of vaccines to be administered to the livestock during the campaign scheduled to commence in January.
“With the planned vaccination of millions of cattle, goats, and sheep in Kenya, kindly specify if these vaccines are viral, killed, modified live vaccines (MLV), and/or mucosal vaccines,” the letter read.
The stakeholders also requested KEVEVAPI to disclose any partnerships with organizations like the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and to provide the cost per dose of the vaccines.
The nationwide vaccination campaign, announced by President William Ruto in November, aims to target 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep to enhance livestock health and secure international market access for Kenyan livestock products.
However, the initiative has faced criticism from some agricultural institutions, including the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA), which recently called for a postponement of the program to allow for adequate public sensitization to counter misinformation and resistance from livestock keepers.
President Ruto defended the campaign, emphasizing its safety and transformative potential in controlling diseases and increasing livestock productivity.
