Kiambu: Kiambu County is in the final stages of preparing to roll out an E-voucher livestock vaccination program under the National Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), targeting diseases that have for long affected livestock production and the dairy sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, the campaign will protect cattle against foot and mouth disease, a highly contagious infection that has previously caused significant livestock losses. The program is set to be rolled out in four weeks across all 60 wards.
The initiative is a joint effort between the national and county governments, with funding from the World Bank and NAVCDP, and is seen as a step toward modernizing livestock healthcare delivery.
"Digital systems have improved vaccination delivery. We began farmer registration in 2023 using the Kenya Information Management System, and so far about 101,000 cattle have been registered out of the county's 250,000-cattle population," said John Kuria, Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries, and Veterinary Services in Kiambu.
"To increase participation, the county has held sensitization meetings with staff, cooperative managers, and local administrators, including chiefs and assistant county commissioners, to intensify registration and ensure at least 80% coverage of all animals in the county," said Joan Kathambi Nabea, NAVCDP, Kiambu County Project Coordinator.
The subsidy makes it more affordable, especially for smallholder farmers. For remote areas, cooperatives will hire para-veterinarians under county supervision to ensure equal access.
"Ordinarily, the vaccines cost Sh160 per animal, but through the NAVCDP program, farmers will pay only Sh50 via M-Pesa, while the Sh110 subsidy will be channelled through the 15 registered dairy cooperatives. Cooperatives then activate vaccination vouchers for members, ensuring transparency," said Dr. Tabitha Gatheca, Director of Veterinary Services in Kiambu.
Grassroots leaders have been commended for playing a key role in countering misinformation and encouraging participation.
"Community leadership has been key in ensuring farmers understand the benefits of vaccination. The program's success will be measured by the number of farmers reached and vouchers redeemed, providing clear metrics for its impact on livestock health and livelihoods," added Chief Officer Kuria.
The E-voucher vaccination program positions Kiambu as a leader in digital livestock healthcare, serving as a model for other counties in the coming months.