Kiambu County to Roll Out Subsidized E-Voucher Livestock Vaccination

In Summary

• Kiambu County is preparing to launch an E-voucher livestock vaccination program under NAVCDP within four weeks.
• The campaign will target foot and mouth disease across all 60 wards in the county.
• The project is funded by the World Bank and the National Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).
• Farmers will pay KSh 50 per animal via M-Pesa instead of the usual KSh 160, with cooperatives handling the subsidies.
• Over 101,000 cattle have already been registered out of the county’s 250,000 herd population.
• Dairy cooperatives and para-veterinarians will facilitate access, especially for farmers in remote areas.
• The initiative aims for at least 80% coverage and sets Kiambu as a model for digital livestock healthcare in Kenya.

Kiambu County is in the final stages of launching a digital livestock vaccination program to protect cattle against foot and mouth disease. The exercise, expected to start in four weeks, will cover all 60 wards under the National Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP).

The initiative is supported by the national government, the World Bank, and NAVCDP, and marks a major step toward modernizing livestock healthcare through digital systems.

According to Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries, and Veterinary Services, John Kuria, farmer registration for the program began in 2023 using the Kenya Information Management System.

So far, about 101,000 cattle have been registered, representing nearly half of the county’s 250,000 herd population.

NAVCDP County Project Coordinator Joan Kathambi Nabea said the county has held sensitization meetings with staff, cooperative managers, and local administrators, including chiefs and assistant county commissioners. The outreach aims to push registration and ensure at least 80% coverage once the vaccination drive begins.

The program comes with a subsidy to ease costs for farmers. Director of Veterinary Services in Kiambu, Dr. Tabitha Gatheca, explained that while the normal vaccination fee is KSh 160 per animal, farmers will only pay KSh 50 through M-Pesa. The remaining KSh 110 will be covered through 15 registered dairy cooperatives, which will activate vaccination vouchers for their members to guarantee transparency.

In remote areas, cooperatives will hire para-veterinarians under county supervision to extend services to all livestock keepers. Grassroots leaders have also been recognized for their role in countering misinformation and encouraging farmers to participate in the program.

Chief Officer Kuria noted that the success of the vaccination campaign will be measured by farmer turnout and the number of vouchers redeemed, providing clear metrics for its impact on livestock health and livelihoods.

The E-voucher vaccination model is expected to place Kiambu at the forefront of digital livestock healthcare, with other counties likely to replicate the approach in the near future.