A county-wide vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) has kicked off in Siaya, with veterinary teams urging farmers to bring their cattle for immunisation at designated sites.
The exercise, supported by the National Agriculture Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), aims to improve animal health, reduce production costs, and enable farmers to access both local and regional livestock markets more easily.
Officials launched the campaign at Majengo Primary School grounds in Usigu Sub-County. Vincent Okoth, NAVCDP Siaya County Coordinator, said regular FMD outbreaks in Siaya and neighbouring counties continue to hurt the dairy and red meat value chains.
“Foot and mouth disease makes the cost of livestock production high,” Okoth said. Farmers pay a subsidised fee of Sh50 per cow, while the government covers the remaining Sh110 through NAVCDP support.
Dual Benefit: Vaccination and Digital Registration
During the exercise, veterinary teams also register animals using muzzle technology. This biometric system captures unique nose patterns, similar to human fingerprints, to help identify cattle in cases of theft or movement to other areas.
Dr. Otieno Owino, Siaya County Director of Livestock Production and Veterinary Services, said the county targets vaccinating 115,000 cattle. The drive forms part of a broader national effort to control and eventually eradicate the highly contagious disease.
“If we can vaccinate 70 percent of all the animals, we will be able to contain this disease,” Dr. Owino said. He encouraged farmers to take advantage of the subsidised programme.
Bondo Sub-County Veterinary Officer Dr. Clay Ngoye explained that muzzle registration strengthens security for farmers. “Just like human beings use thumbprints for identification, the new technology helps in the identification of an animal,” he noted.
Farmers Welcome Initiative but Seek Better Communication
Joseph Buoga Ogumbo, a local livestock farmer, praised both national and county governments for the campaign. However, he called for timely information on vaccination venues so farmers can prepare and present their animals promptly.
Siaya County depends heavily on livestock for milk, meat, and household income. FMD outbreaks often lead to movement restrictions, weight loss in animals, and reduced milk production, hitting smallholder farmers hardest.
The disease spreads quickly among cloven-hoofed animals and poses a major barrier to livestock trade. Successful mass vaccination campaigns in other counties have shown that high coverage can significantly lower outbreak frequency.
National Push for Disease Control
This exercise aligns with Kenya’s wider livestock vaccination programme, which seeks to strengthen the sector through better disease control and modern identification systems. The integration of muzzle technology with platforms like Mifugo 360 is expected to improve traceability and support future efforts in animal health and theft prevention.
Veterinary teams will move across all sub-counties in the coming weeks. Officials urged farmers to cooperate fully and ensure their cattle receive the vaccine during the current window.
With livestock keeping forming a key part of Siaya’s agricultural economy, the campaign offers hope for healthier herds, lower losses, and improved market access for thousands of farming families in the county.
