By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
April 23, 2026 - Mandera County Government, through the Food Systems Resilience Program (FSRP), has launched an emergency livestock treatment and vaccination campaign aimed at protecting pastoral livelihoods and improving animal health across the county.
The exercise is currently underway in Kutulo, Arabia, Mandera East, and Lafey sub-counties, targeting hundreds of thousands of animals affected by prolonged drought and disease outbreaks.
According to county officials, the campaign is part of ongoing Food Systems Resilience Program support in Mandera and includes a livestock vaccination programme using an e-voucher subsidy model aimed at controlling Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), a highly contagious viral disease affecting sheep and goats.
Diseases such as ruminal impaction have also been reported, where ingestion of plastic materials in cattle, goats, or camels disrupts normal digestion.
By the end of the exercise, a total of 722,691 animals are expected to be treated and vaccinated. This includes 10,176 cattle, 699,300 sheep and goats, 8,840 camels, and 4,375 donkeys.
The county says the intervention is aimed at helping livestock recover quickly from the effects of drought, boosting immunity against diseases, and restoring productivity for pastoralist households that heavily depend on livestock for food and income.
Speaking during a field visit, County Chief Officer for Livestock Development Mohamed Adan Issack said the county government remains alert in safeguarding the livelihoods of pastoral communities.
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“This emergency intervention is meant to protect our animals from disease and help them regain strength after the drought. Livestock is the backbone of our economy, and we are committed to supporting our pastoralists,” he said.
He urged residents in the targeted areas to cooperate with veterinary officers and take full advantage of the free treatment and vaccination services.
Veterinary teams have already been deployed on the ground to ensure the services reach all targeted communities, including remote and hard-to-reach areas.
Residents have welcomed the initiative, noting that improved livestock health will help families recover from recent drought losses and strengthen food security in the region.
Mandera County’s economy largely depends on livestock production, and officials say such interventions are crucial in building resilience against recurring climate shocks and disease outbreaks.