President William Ruto has announced that the government will embark on a nationwide livestock vaccination program against diseases in January 2025.
Ruto said 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep will be vaccinated to help prevent animal diseases and thus secure the international market for livestock products.
“This will ensure we access both national and international markets for our livestock products.”
Speaking during the Maa Cultural Festival held near the Samburu National Reserve in Samburu County, he noted that the government had allocated Kes 1 billion to restock livestock lost during the drought in the northern part of the country.
He also said that the government would buy 55,000 goats and sheep to distribute to farmers, ensuring that every family would be supported.
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“We are committed to ensuring that families who lost their livestock during the drought benefit from the government programme,” he said.
President Ruto also announced that the government has completed the construction of a leather industrial park at Kenanie and Narok, ensuring no leather goes to waste.
“Through these facilities, we will be able to save Kes 10 billion we have been losing in leather,” he said.
Further, he said that the government will scale up environmental conservation efforts in arid and semi-arid areas to mitigate the effects of climate change, including drought, which leads to heavy livestock losses.
He said the government will provide drought-resistant seedlings to boost tree planting in the region.
On carbon trading, he pointed out that 40 percent of the proceeds from the carbon market would go to the community.
At the same time, President Ruto emphasized the government’s commitment to implementing universal health coverage to ensure all citizens have access to quality and affordable medical care.
