The Government has launched a national mass vaccination campaign targeting sheep and goats to combat Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious viral disease.
The launch ceremony was held in Syokithumbi, Kwa Mutonga, Kitui West Sub-County, bringing together key stakeholders in the livestock sector, including government officials, veterinary professionals, and representatives from international organizations.
Speaking during the ceremony, Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke stated that the livestock sector is a crucial component of Kenya’s economy, contributing up to 12 percent of the GDP and employing half of the agricultural labor force.
“Livestock, including 22 million cattle, 63 million sheep and goats, three million camels, and 1.8 million donkeys, forms the backbone of livelihoods for many rural communities, particularly in the arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) where 10 million Kenyans depend on livestock,” Mueke said.
The PS also added that sheep and goats, often referred to as small stock, play a vital role by providing livelihoods, income, employment, and export earnings. However, the sector faces significant challenges such as diseases, pests, adverse climatic conditions, and market access issues.
He further lamented that transboundary diseases like foot and mouth disease, Rift Valley fever, anthrax, and PPR cause substantial economic losses due to high mortality rates, treatment costs, and poor animal health.
“PPR, also known locally as ‘sotoka ya mbuzi,’ is particularly devastating. The disease was first reported in Kenya in 2006 in Turkana and has since caused severe outbreaks, primarily affecting the ASAL regions. PPR not only threatens the health of small ruminants but also poses a risk to some wild animals, further complicating control efforts,” the PS regretted.
Mueke observed that to combat the severe impact of PPR on food security, rural livelihoods, and the economy, a global strategy for its eradication has been developed and adopted in Kenya.
He noted that the strategy aims to control and eradicate PPR by 2027, emphasizing the reduction of other priority small ruminant diseases (SRDs). The economic impact of PPR is significant, with the annual losses in the ASAL counties estimated at Sh1.67 billion in 2016.
“The control of disease restricts access to lucrative markets for livestock and livestock products due to trade-sensitive restrictions imposed to prevent its spread.
These restrictions hinder the movement of small ruminants and their products, affecting the economic well-being of pastoralist communities reliant on livestock,” Mueke said.
He said the government’s BETA Agenda includes improving the meat value chain, recognizing the importance of sheep and goats in the rural economy and their contribution to the popular ‘nyama choma’ joints across the country.
