Uasin Gishu Agriculture CeC Samuel Yego. [Photo/Joe Khisa]
Four counties in the North Rift have initiated a process of developing a joint vaccination strategy aimed at freeing the region from livestock-related diseases.
This was agreed following numerous deliberations that arose from a consultative meeting on disease control strategy that constituted top agricultural officials from Uasin Gishu, Nandi, Trans Nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
The meeting held in Eldoret on Saturday and chaired by the Uasin Gishu County Executive in charge of Agriculture Samuel Yego discussed possible solutions to the rampant Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD) that has recently hit the region.
During the meeting, concerns were raised over the regular outbreak of the diseases despite thorough vaccinations across the region.
"This has raised serious concerns as to whether the vaccines are genuine or not," noted Nandi County Executive in charge of Agriculture Wilson Taiy.
"We have contacted the Kenya Veterinary Vaccine Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) with various disease samples so that they can give us a lasting solution after extensive research and lab investigations," he added.
Livestock auctioning in various markets across the North Rift region has been closed down in a bid to contain the diseases following its outbreak.