Kalonzo hits back at Ruto, alleges hidden motive in livestock vaccination drive

Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka now wants the government to come out clear on its ambitious push to vaccinate domesticated animals across the country.

Kalonzo claims there is a plan to siphon Kenyans' hard-earned cash through vaccination fees.

Kalonzo, who spoke on Friday at a church event in Ruai, Nairobi County, told pastoralist communities to reject the program if there was no resourceful information regarding the push.

“In the vaccination, someone is getting Ksh.40. if we have 22 million cattle, you will know how much they are getting,” he said.

“When we speak about our cattle, people were thinking about the environment, others conducted their research, and we don’t want to question their findings but we know since we were born we have had animals.”

He added: “Some scientists say animals pollute the environment, leading to climate change. We don’t argue but we want the facts on the table. If we are vaccinating cattle, we want to know what we are vaccinating them against; is it against ECF or Ridapex, people want to know.”

Kalonzo, who was accompanied by other Azimio leaders including DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Jubilee Secretary General Jeremiah Kionim, told off President William Ruto who is now accusing his critics of peddling lies against his administration.

The opposition leaders castigated the current regime which they say has failed Kenyans on several fronts even as they vow to assemble a team that will dislodge Ruto from power in 2027.

The leaders insisted that the Ruto administration had missed the key priorities and exposed ordinary Kenyans to hardship through unrealistic projects.

The leaders also told the church to stand firm as an institution of governance in the country and speak truth to power urging them not to be used by the government at a critical time.

“This is the time to say No, so to our Church, pray for the nation. We will stand with the people of Kenya; the women, the youth, and everyone,” Kalonzo stated.

President Ruto had announced plans to initiate a vaccination drive for all animals reared by Kenyans at the grassroots level, a call that the opposition has since rejected.