By Mohamed Siyad - Reporter
June 22, 2026 - The County Government of Wajir, through the Department of Livestock and Veterinary Services, is conducting a vital livestock vaccination campaign targeting Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) in sheep and goats, and Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in goats.
This initiative is supported by the British Red Cross through the Kenya Red Cross Society and is being implemented in partnership with the National Government under the E-Voucher Livestock Vaccination Programme, supported by the Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP) as a strategic livestock disease control intervention.
Over the next ten days, the department aims to vaccinate 200,000 sheep and goats and 50,000 cattle across all six sub-counties.
In addition to vaccination, the campaign will include mass deworming and supportive treatment for sick and weak animals.
Under the E-Voucher Vaccination Programme, the FMD vaccine will be offered at a subsidised cost of KSh 50 per head of cattle, while the PPR vaccine will cost KSh 3 per sheep or goat. All other vaccines and treatment drugs will be provided free of charge.
This effort reflects the department's commitment not only to addressing immediate livestock health challenges but also to strengthening resilience, improving productivity, and supporting sustainable livelihoods for livestock keepers across Wajir County.
The campaign comes at a critical time for the arid and semi-arid region, where livestock forms the backbone of the local economy and the primary source of income for the majority of households. Diseases such as FMD and PPR have historically devastated herds, wiping out entire flocks and plunging pastoralist families into poverty.
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Wajir County officials said the partnership with the British Red Cross and the Kenya Red Cross Society has been instrumental in securing the vaccines and logistical support needed to reach remote pastoral communities. Mobile veterinary teams have been deployed across the six sub-counties, setting up vaccination points at water sources and market centres to maximise accessibility.
Livestock keepers have welcomed the initiative, saying previous outbreaks of FMD and PPR had caused massive losses. Many herders said they could not afford commercial vaccines, making the subsidised and free options a lifeline for their animals and their families.
The FSRP, funded by international development partners, is designed to build resilience in food systems across Kenya's arid counties. In Wajir, the project has focused on strengthening veterinary services, improving market access for pastoralists, and supporting climate-adaptive livestock management practices.
County veterinary officers urged herders to bring all eligible animals for vaccination, noting that herd immunity is essential to preventing future outbreaks. They also called on community leaders to help spread awareness and combat misinformation about vaccines.
The ten-day campaign is expected to significantly reduce disease prevalence in the county, protecting livelihoods and boosting livestock productivity in one of Kenya's most marginalised regions.