Healthy Herds: Narok Unveils KSh 30M Livestock Vaccine Plan Ahead of Mass Drive

In Summary

• Narok County launches KES 30 million livestock vaccination campaign.
• Vaccines target goat pneumonia, PPR, anthrax, lumpy skin disease, and more.
• Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech flags off vaccine distribution to all sub-counties.
• Initiative aims to protect 500,000+ livestock, boost health, and secure markets.
• Campaign to address endemic diseases and support pastoralist livelihoods.
• Vaccination drive set to begin next month across Narok County.

Narok County has launched a KES 30 million livestock vaccination campaign to protect over 500,000 cattle, sheep, and goats from endemic diseases. Deputy Governor Tamalinye Koech flagged off the distribution of vaccines and vector control agents to all sub-counties on July 15, 2025, ahead of a county-wide mass vaccination drive scheduled for next month.

The consignment includes thousands of doses of vaccines for goat pneumonia, Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), anthrax, blackquarter, lumpy skin disease, bluetongue, rabies, and amitraz for vector control. The initiative aims to curb disease outbreaks, enhance livestock health, and secure access to local and international markets for Narok’s pastoralist communities.

Speaking at the flag-off event, Deputy Governor Koech emphasized the critical role of livestock in Narok’s economy.

“Our pastoralists rely on healthy livestock for their livelihoods. This campaign will reduce animal deaths and ensure our products meet global standards,” he said.

The county, home to over 200,000 cattle in areas like Mara and Loita divisions, has faced persistent challenges from diseases like anthrax and contagious bovine pleuropneumonia (CBPP).

The vaccination drive aligns with national efforts to combat transboundary diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and PPR, which hinder Kenya’s livestock export potential. Narok’s initiative complements the stalled national campaign, which aimed to vaccinate 22 million cattle and 50 million sheep and goats but faced funding shortages.

County Veterinary Services Director Dr. John Kilel noted the urgency of the program.

“Recent anthrax outbreaks in Narok underscore the need for this intervention. We aim to achieve at least 80% vaccination coverage to control these diseases,” he said.

Private veterinary providers will support the rollout to ensure accessibility in remote areas.

Local herders welcomed the initiative but called for community engagement.

“We need awareness campaigns to build trust and ensure participation,” said Joseph Ole Naserian, a Maasai pastoralist in Narok South.

Past vaccination drives in the county faced resistance due to misinformation and logistical challenges, with only 66.7% of farmers willing to pay for CBPP vaccines in a 2006 study.

The county government has urged all livestock owners to participate in the free vaccination program, noting that vaccinated livestock fetch higher prices in export markets like the UAE and EU.

Narok’s campaign is expected to run for three weeks, targeting pastoralist communities across the county’s 15 wards. The county has allocated additional resources for veterinary teams and mobile clinics to reach remote areas. Results from the drive will be evaluated by September 2025 to assess its impact on disease control and livestock productivity.

This initiative positions Narok as a leader in regional livestock health, supporting Kenya’s broader goals of food security and economic growth through a robust livestock sector.