NAIROBI, Kenya, Dec 18 – The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) has raised concerns over the effectiveness of the ongoing National Livestock Vaccination Campaign, citing issues of trust, coordination, and communication.
In a statement, KVA acknowledged the importance of disease control for livestock productivity, food security, and international trade but warned that these challenges could undermine the campaign’s success.
The association highlighted a “credibility crisis,” noting that public trust in government initiatives has diminished due to past actions.
“This administration’s actions since it came to power have eroded any sense of public trust that Kenyans had with government institutions,” read the statement.
KVA also criticized inadequate public sensitization and stakeholder engagement, leaving many livestock keepers unaware of the vaccination’s benefits or misinformed.
Additionally, the politicization of the exercise was flagged as a potential distraction from the campaign’s goal of controlling disease outbreaks.
The government launched the program in June, targeting 22 million cattle and 50 million goats to safeguard animal and human health while improving productivity.
However, the initiative has sparked mixed reactions, with some Kenyans expressing skepticism.
