Livestock farmers in Elelea, Turkana East, have welcomed a large-scale livestock vaccination and supportive treatment campaign launched through a partnership between the Turkana County Government and GENCO Livestock and Fresh Meat Export Ltd.
The 10-day exercise aims to vaccinate and treat 100,000 livestock across Elelea, Karoge and Lokapel, strengthening disease control efforts and improving access to livestock markets.
Pastoralists have praised the initiative, saying it will help protect their animals from common diseases that frequently affect livestock production in the region.
Kamar Lojao, a livestock keeper from Echoke Village, expressed his satisfaction after his goats and sheep were vaccinated against Pestes des Petits Ruminants (PPR), one of the most prevalent and devastating livestock diseases in the area.
Community Disease Reporter (CDR) Ngitira Ekitela said PPR and tick-borne diseases remain the biggest threats to livestock health in Elelea and surrounding villages.
While welcoming the vaccination campaign, Ekitela called on the government to also increase the supply of acaricides to help farmers combat tick infestations and related diseases.
Speaking during a supervision visit, Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Benson Long’or commended GENCO Livestock and Fresh Meat Export Ltd for supporting the exercise, noting that the partnership had enabled the department to reach thousands of animals within a short period.
“We have vaccinated and treated over 30,000 animals in Elelea and Lokapel in the last three days of the exercise. This is good progress! Once complete, we would have surpassed our 100,000 target,” said Dr. Long’or.
He explained that the vaccination and supportive treatment programme is designed to improve livestock health while identifying disease-free animals suitable for both domestic and international markets.
According to Dr. Long’or, strengthening disease control across the livestock value chain is critical in meeting market standards and expanding trade opportunities for Turkana pastoralists.
The County Government has provided vaccines, dewormers, veterinary equipment and technical personnel to ensure the success of the campaign.
The exercise follows a consultative meeting held in Lodwar last week between officials from the Department of Livestock Development and representatives of GENCO Livestock and Fresh Meat Export Ltd, aimed at enhancing livestock health and market access in Turkana County.
Dr. Sibiah Ratemo of GENCO attributed the early success of the campaign to effective community mobilization and the commitment of veterinary teams working on the ground.
“We attribute the success of this vaccination event to the dedicated team in the field under Director Longor’s leadership. Thanks to the County Government! Out of the community mobilization and sensitization, teams have experienced pastoralists bring their livestock in numbers at water points for vaccination,” said Dr. Ratemo during the exercise in Lokapel.
He also applauded the role played by women in mobilizing communities and encouraged greater female participation in future livestock health programmes, saying their involvement is essential to the success of such initiatives.
The vaccination drive is expected to significantly reduce livestock disease outbreaks, improve animal productivity and boost pastoralists’ incomes by creating opportunities for access to premium livestock markets.
