KENYA – Kenyan Kirinyaga County has launched an intensive sensitization campaign to combat recent outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease among livestock.
The initiative, spearheaded by the county’s Agriculture, Livestock, and Veterinary executive, John Gachara, is aimed at equipping dairy farmers with vital information on the prevention, detection, and management of livestock diseases.
Gachara revealed that the county had successfully contained the recent outbreaks but highlighted the need for increased awareness.
“Some farmers reported symptoms in their livestock, and when we sent our officers, it became clear that there was a lack of adequate knowledge on how to prevent and detect these diseases,” he said.
The county has collaborated with private veterinary practitioners, government veterinary officers, and dairy cooperative officials, all of whom have undergone training to respond swiftly to future outbreaks.
The collaboration has resulted in a comprehensive livestock farmers’ education program currently being rolled out by extension officers throughout the county.
Kirinyaga’s location as a key transit point for livestock from the Eastern and North Eastern parts of Kenya makes it particularly vulnerable to the spread of communicable diseases.
Gachara emphasized that the campaign is designed to empower farmers with the tools and knowledge they need to safeguard their animals and livelihoods.
The county, home to more than 90,000 dairy cattle and over 30,000 dairy goats, is focusing on training farmers in all wards. They are being educated on disease management and prevention techniques at four key points per ward.
Governor Anne Waiguru explained that this sensitization effort is part of a broader dairy sector development program aimed at boosting milk production and improving farmers’ income.
Due to the county’s efforts, daily milk production per cow has risen from 2.5 liters to 7.8 liters. The goal is to increase production to 12 liters per cow per day.
The county has also supported over 140,000 households with subsidized artificial insemination services and animal feeds to improve dairy breeds and enhance milk output.
The training also covers other livestock ailments such as Anthrax, Rift Valley Fever, Rabies, and Black Quarter, which endanger both livestock and humans.
Expert veterinarians and extension officers have been leading the training sessions, which began two weeks ago.
Farmers, like Joseph Munyi from Mwea East, have welcomed the initiative. He also vowed to prioritize mass vaccinations to protect his herd from future disease outbreaks.
“This training is exactly what I needed. I have previously spent a lot on treating diseases, but now I know how to spot early signs and take immediate action,” Munyi said.
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