Kenya and Uganda will join efforts to vaccinate animals as a measure of containing the rampant foot and mouth disease and other contagious infections that prevail in pastoral communities in the two countries. Speaking in Kitale, Principal Secretary in the State Department of Livestock Dr. Andrew Tuimur said the government has already set aside Kshs 8.5 billion for the next five years, as they aim to vaccinate 3.1 million animals in Kenya and Uganda.
He said the programme, which is being supported by the World Bank, will target various areas including West Pokot, Turkana, Karamoja in Uganda and other border regions.
He said the partnership will not only help to contain the spread of the disease, but will also help to reduce the conflict between neighbouring pastoral communities from the two nations.
He said the project will help improve livestock resilience, coupled with helping to improve their productivity.
His sentiments were supported by Ugandan counterpart Dr Noelina Nantima, who works in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries as Assistant Commissioner in charge of Disease Control. She said it’s essential for the two countries to partner in the project, to cater for livestock, and control the spread of animal diseases, adding that they will engage with the communities to pave way for the processes of animal vaccination.
She cited cases where people consumed infected animal meat and they developed complications afterwards. The Director of Veterinary Services in Kenya Dr Kisa Juma Ngeywa appealed to Kenyans to be sure they don’t eat uninspected meat during this festive season.