Kenya’s livestock sector at risk as vaccine coverage remains low

Kenya’s livestock sector is facing growing threats from low vaccination coverage, exposing animals to disease outbreaks, threatening food safety and limiting access to key export markets.

The concerns emerged during the 60th annual congress of the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) held in Ukunda, Kwale County, where veterinarians and industry stakeholders warned that inadequate vaccine access and weak veterinary systems are undermining animal health across the country.

While poultry vaccination coverage stands at about 80 per cent, vaccination rates for livestock and ruminants remain between 6 and 20 per cent nationwide, leaving many regions vulnerable to outbreaks of diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).

KVA National Chairman Dr. Kelvin Osore said the low vaccination rates are preventing the country from achieving herd immunity and weakening the livestock sector’s contribution to the economy.

“For vaccinations, you need to reach about 80 per cent to achieve herd immunity. If we don’t do that, we’ll keep talking about the contribution of the livestock subsector to the economy, but we’ll never hit the percentages that we want,” said Dr. Osore.

He warned that weak vaccination systems are also exposing communities to zoonotic diseases, citing recent anthrax outbreaks in parts of the country.

Dr. Osore added that persistent animal diseases continue to block Kenya from accessing lucrative meat and dairy markets abroad.

“When you go to lucrative meat markets or dairy markets in the Middle East and Europe, they insist on a country having a disease-free status for FMD. This has prevented us from exporting our meat and dairy products to certain countries,” he said.

According to Dr. Osore, shortages of veterinary surgeons, especially in pastoral regions that hold most of the country’s livestock, and poor access to quality vaccines remain major obstacles.

“It’s a whole chain of systemic issues that need to be addressed by different stakeholders,” he added.

Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said animal health systems are critical in protecting livelihoods, food security and the economy.

“Animal health services play a very critical role in the prevention, control, and eradication of animal diseases that occasion huge economic losses and adversely impact livelihoods,” said Kagwe.

The CS said the government is finalising a livestock master plan aimed at improving livestock data and identifying investment opportunities to support sustainable growth in the sector.

Meanwhile, Enrique Pando, Head of Commercial Development at Galvmed said the congress was important in raising awareness about the role of vaccination in safeguarding animal health and food security.

“This event by KVA is essential because it brings together veterinarians and technicians who are custodians of animal health and food security in this country. It is a really good place to create awareness on the value of vaccination,” said Pando.