Bill Gates not involved in Kenya’s livestock vaccination push: PS Mueke

Agriculture Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke has dismissed claims that American businessman and philanthropist Bill Gates has a hand in the Kenyan government’s controversial push for mass livestock vaccination.

President William Ruto’s government plans to vaccinate 22 million cattle, 50 million goats, sheep, and small livestock starting January next year, but the move has sparked criticism and concern from Kenyans and various local organisations.

Speaking during a goat auction in Baringo County on Tuesday Mueke said the vaccination decision is informed by benchmarking the Agriculture Ministry did in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

“While our meat is of good quality, it does not sell at competitive prices in the global market because we do not have the required vaccination certificates for our cows, goats and sheep,” he said.

“The goats selling at Ksh.15,000 would be going for Ksh.17,000 if one has vaccination certificates.”

Mueke disputed claims by a section of Kenyans that Gates, whose Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has funded vaccination initiatives--including COVID-19--in poor countries globally, is involved in Kenya’s latest campaign.

“Some people have been saying these vaccines are from America, from Bill Gates… that livestock will stop farting if vaccinated; those are baseless claims. The PPR vaccine, for example, is made by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI)… Kenyan scientists make it,” Mueke said.

This week, the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) openly criticized the vaccination programme, saying they were not consulted during its development.

KVA National Chairman Dr Kelvin Osore on Tuesday said that concerns raised by the government on controlling greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are not a priority and that Kenyans should be given adequate time to be sensitised on the matter.

He demanded transparency on the diseases being targeted, the rationale behind the vaccination, and the identity of the program's sponsors.

President Ruto has been openly telling off critics of the vaccination campaign.

During Tuesday’s goat auction in Baringo, the President said politicians opposing the plan are engaging in cheap talk without providing alternative solutions. 

Ruto asked his detractors to keep off matters they do not know of, instead of spreading what he called propaganda.