Nairobi: Livestock keepers in Elelea Ward, Turkana East Sub-County, have welcomed a mass livestock vaccination and supportive treatment campaign aimed at improving animal health, controlling diseases, and expanding access to domestic and international livestock markets.
According to Kenya News Agency, the 10-day exercise is being implemented through a partnership between the Turkana County Government and GENCO Livestock and Fresh Meat Export Ltd. It targets the vaccination and treatment of more than 100,000 animals in Elelea, Karoge, and Lokapel. The campaign focuses on protecting livestock against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious viral disease affecting sheep and goats, as well as other common livestock diseases.
Kamar Lojao, a livestock keeper from Echoke Village, expressed that the exercise would help reduce livestock losses caused by disease outbreaks and improve household incomes dependent on livestock production. Community Disease Reporter (CDR) Ngitira Ekitela highlighted that PPR and tick-borne diseases remain the most common livestock diseases in Elelea and neighboring areas. Ekitela also appealed to the County Government to provide acaricides to help pastoralists control tick infestations and further improve livestock health.
During a supervision visit, Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Benson Long’or reported significant progress, with more than 30,000 animals vaccinated and treated within the first three days. He noted that with continued cooperation from livestock keepers, the campaign is expected to surpass the target of 100,000 animals by its conclusion. Dr. Long’or emphasized that the vaccination and supportive treatment program is designed to produce disease-free animals at the farm gate, enabling pastoralists to access premium local and export markets while strengthening the livestock value chain.
The County Government has provided vaccines, dewormers, veterinary equipment, and technical personnel to ensure the campaign’s success. This exercise follows a consultative meeting in Lodwar between officials from the County Department of Livestock and GENCO Livestock and Fresh Meat Export Ltd to bolster livestock disease control initiatives in Turkana.
GENCO veterinarian Dr. Sibiah Ratemo praised the commitment of county veterinary officers and community mobilizers, noting the high turnout of pastoralists at designated vaccination points. He commended women for their role in mobilizing communities and encouraged their increased participation in future livestock health campaigns to improve outreach and disease control efforts.
