Why Vets want gov't to pause livestock vaccination exercise

Kenya's #1 newsletter among business leaders & policy makers

Hello 👋🏾, it’s Brian from The Kenyan Wall Street!

Thank you for joining us for today’s edition of The Daily Brief! With 35,000+ subscribers from over 80 countries receiving this newsletter.

In today's edition of our newsletter, we highlight the ongoing tussle between the government and some members of the public who are skeptical of the National Vaccination Program slated for January next year.

We also have other stories including the new government directive on the BRT line and the uproar over a private developer encroaching Ngong Forest. 

Top Stories

🐄 Veterinarians Request Gov’t to Halt Livestock Vaccination amid Public Distrust

Cattle

President William Ruto is an angry man. Yesterday during a goat auction he attended in Baringo county, he vented out his frustration with skeptics of the nationwide livestock vaccination exercise slated in January next year.

He shot back at critics of the program, terming their concerns as ‘baseless propaganda’ meant to disparage a crucial process. Ruto said that the country was targeting various markets abroad to export meat and leather products, which is impossible at the moment because the quality of Kenyan livestock is negatively affected by certain diseases such as the Foot-And-Mouth Disease (FMD). 

The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA), however, doubts the government’s ability to conduct an effective nationwide livestock vaccination exercise in January next year without enough public sensitization and rigorous communication.

In a statement released on Tuesday evening, the association wants the government to pause the exercise believing that insistence to run it in the current climate of skepticism would only botch the aim.

The veterinary association also acknowledged the government’s assurance that the exercise will be voluntary, allaying fears that the vaccination program is being pushed by dubious interests.

Which interests? One may ask. Apparently, the prevailing narrative is that a foreign manufacturer is looking for test subjects for its vaccines meant to suppress methane production in cattle. Some Kenyans believe that the nationwide vaccination exercise is being pushed to facilitate these trials.

“For vaccination campaigns to be successful, a specified minimum coverage needs to be achieved. In the current heated climate, the objective cannot be met.”

~ The Kenya Veterinary Association

The government has denied these claims, saying that no such vaccine is being rolled out here. But the vets believe there is a miscommunication problem and the government is not helping matters. Going by the president's rant yesterday, the association thinks that such a reaction only reinforces the mistrust the public has against government agencies.

Today's Poll

Do you believe there is something sinister about the National Livestock Vaccination campaign?

Login or Subscribe to participate in polls.

Yesterday's Poll Results 

Do you think the extension of the G2G oil deal is a good idea? 

‘No’ led with 77.42% of the tally

🚍 Government Blocks Non-Electric Cars From BRT Line

The Cabinet has approved implementation of the Clean Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) System in response to transportation challenges in the Nairobi metropolis.

Highlights

🔸The first phase of the BRT Core Line 3 covers 12.4 km from Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH) to Dandora, with future extensions planned for Ngong Town and Tala.

🔸By 2035, Core Line 3 is projected to transport 357,000 passengers daily using electric buses.

🔸In September, Kenya Urban Roads Board (KURA) opened bidding for the Sh7.6 billion ($59 million) Nairobi’s Outering Bus Rapid Transit Line (BRT) project restricting it to firms from the Republic of Korea.

🌲🌲CS Aden Duale Revokes Ngong Forest Developer’s Licenses

Environment Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale has ordered The National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) to quash the license of a private developer setting up a golf range and restaurant within the Ngong Road Forest.

Highlights 

🔸CS Duale directed the environmental authority and the Chief Conservator of Forests (CCF) to prepare a brief on the matter within the next three days.

🔸The developer received two licenses; the Special Use License issued by the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) on 14th June 2023 and the Environmental Impact Assessment (IEA) from NEMA.

🔸The two licenses triggered massive uproar by Kenyans on social media, who suspect that the developer, Karura Golf Range Ltd, had encroached on forested land.

🔸The Karura Golf Range Ltd was registered in June 2020 and has two directors; Kapildev Bhatt and Harpal Choda.

Stories you missed 

Video of the Day

On the third episode of ‘Her Leadership' we interview Wangari Muikia—an African Fiscal Policy Specialist, Founder, and Managing Director of Expertise Global

Also watch :

Thank you for reading our newsletter!