A herd of cattle. [Photo/ keywordpicture.com]
More than 400 herd of cattle have died in some parts of Uasin Gishu county within a period of three weeks following an outbreak of the foot and mouth disease.This has caused panic among farmers with several livestock markets being shut down.Reports indicate the disease is spreading rapidly in other counties in the Rift Valley like Trans. Nzoia and Nandi.These counties are unable are unable to stop the spread as they are facing a cash crisis.According to the ward representative's, Kesses sub-county is one of the worst affected.The residents have called on the government to intervene.Uasin Gishu Livestock executive Dr Ceril Cheruiyot blamed the neighbouring counties of Nandi and Kakamega for the outbreak.“We were vaccinating all animals, but some counties ignored the plan and the disease is now spreading,” said Cheruiyot.“Some farmers ignore our call for vaccination of animals. The cost of vaccines is very high and should be lowered,” He added.