Kajiado County has launched a major livestock vaccination campaign targeting over 350,000 cattle, goats, and sheep in a bid to curb the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).
The initiative, unveiled at Ildamat Ward by Deputy Governor Martin Moshisho, comes at a critical time as drought continues to strain pastoralist livelihoods across the region.
The campaign is part of the National Livestock Vaccination Programme and is being implemented in partnership with the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), and the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development.
“This programme is not just about disease control it’s about protecting the backbone of our economy,” said Moshisho. “We are targeting 350,000 cattle across the county, and we urge all farmers to present their animals for vaccination.”
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To improve transparency and efficiency, the county has digitized the vaccination process using a mobile application linked to the Kenya Agriculture Management Information System (KIAMIS). The system enables real-time data collection, tracking of vaccinated animals, and swift decision-making. It also helps prevent double vaccination and stock mismanagement.
County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, Irrigation and Fisheries, Francis ole Sakuda, emphasized the importance of the exercise during the dry season. “Healthy livestock means food security and economic stability. Vaccination protects herds and ensures safer meat and milk for our communities,” he said.
The campaign is being carried out under a cost-sharing model. Farmers will pay Sh50 per cow, while the county government will subsidize Sh110 per dose. For small livestock, farmers will contribute Sh3 per animal, with the government covering Sh10 per dose.
More than 50 veterinary officers and paraprofessionals have been trained on the e-voucher system and deployed across all five sub-counties and 25 wards. They are working alongside Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs) and Community-Driven Development Committees (CDDCs) to ensure wide coverage and community engagement.
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Moshisho also praised the involvement of local farmers, especially women in the dairy sector, who are helping lead the vaccination effort. “This is a community-driven campaign, and we’re proud to see our farmers taking charge,” he said.
The county government hopes the campaign will not only reduce disease outbreaks but also strengthen Kajiado’s livestock sector, which remains a vital source of income and nutrition for thousands of households.
By Masaki Enock
