The Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development has issued a directive to Kenyans rearing livestock following the official launch of a mass vaccination exercise.
Agriculture Principal Secretary (PS) Jonathan Mueke, while accompanying President William Ruto in Wajir on Wednesday February 5, during the launch, announced that announced that animals not vaccinated will require a certificate for movement.
Mueke said the directive will help in reducing the spread of diseases like foot and Mouth.
“The vaccination certificate will indicate which animals have been vaccinated and which have not. Once animals have been vaccinated, the farmers whose animals have been vaccinated will be given certificates,” he said.
“Those who would not have vaccinated their livestock we will demand a vaccination certificate before we allow movement of animals so that we don’t spread diseases.”
Kenyan Farmers to Show Vaccination Certificate Before Moving Livestock
This comes after Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe, while launching the nationwide livestock vaccination on Thursday, January 30, reiterated that the program is entirely voluntary, emphasizing that no farmer will be forced to vaccinate their animals.
However, Mutahi Kagwe said the primary objective of the campaign is to reduce the prevalence and ultimately eliminate Foot and Mouth Disease and Peste des Petits Ruminants (viral disease, caused by a morbillivirus closely related to rinderpest virus).
President Ruto announced that government will embark on a nationwide livestock vaccination programme against diseases in January this year.
The President said at least 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep will be vaccinated.
He explained that the programme will help prevent animal diseases and thus secure the international market for livestock products.
“This will ensure we access both national and international markets for our livestock products,” he said.
Also Read: Govt Clarifies Reason for Nationwide Cattle Vaccination After Kalonzo’s Warning
Critics Oppose Mass Vaccination
The initiative has however faced fierce resistance from some farmers and political leaders, fueled by misinformation about the vaccines.
Some opponents of the program believe that Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is funding it. Their claims are fueled by videos circulating online, in which he discusses vaccinating cows to reduce methane emissions.
Methane expelled by livestock belching and farting contributes about 15% of global emissions each year, UN estimates show. It is the most common greenhouse gas after carbon dioxide (CO2).
Jonathan Mueke has since denied that Bill Gates is involved in the livestock vaccination program, stating that neither the US billionaire and philanthropist nor any other foreign sources have provided funding.
President Ruto also dismissed the views of those opposing the vaccinations as “simply misguided, unreasonable and possibly stupid”.
“All of us who have been vaccinated, has anyone stopped farting?” Ruto said as he dismissed the methane claims as “nonsense”.
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