KENYA : EALA MP David Sankok has defended President William Ruto's Government Plan to Vaccinate livestoke in the Country.
Sankok, taking to his social media accounts on Sunday, December 15, 2024, admonished those opposed to the move, stating that there's no ulterior motive behind the Government's planned Nationwide livestock Vaccination.
According to the legislator, "Those insinuating that livestock vacation is to reduce flatulence in cattle are crazy, primitive, ignominious, archaic and retrogressive thinkers".
Sankok, claimed that vaccines have been crucial, in helping the world tackle major health issues.
"Vaccines have helped the world eradicate polio, diphtheria, whooping cough. Vaccines have helped the world reduce the mortality of measles, tuberculosis and in the recent past, Corona." He Said.
The EALA MP, revealed Kenyan Pastoralists lose one million cattle to communicable diseases annually, diseases that can be eradicated or reduce their mortality using vaccination.
Sankok explained he was among Lobbyist's, who urged the head of state to consider the inclusion of Herder's as the government empowered farmers.
" I was among Pastoralist leaders who petitioned President William Samoei Ruto to be fair to all Kenyans because he has provided fertilizer to farmers but wafugaji (livestock keepers) are left out because cows don't eat fertilizer?" Sankok Quiped.
" As crops thrive because of the government fertilizer so should our livestock thrive due to government free mass vaccination. By the way whenever there is an outbreak of BRDC, bovine viral diarrhea, foot and mouth, blue tongue, Nagana, anthrax, Pastoralists flood kabete to purchase vaccines like PPR but their leaders don't want them to be given free." He Added.
The Legislator, called out Leaders opposed to the Vaccination, urging them to keep their political differences aside and reconsider how the free mass Vaccination will be beneficial to their Constituents.
"It is unfortunate that the leaders spreading such falsehood bare scars of BCG and measles vaccination which they never inquired about their origin, manufacturers nor their molecular formula." Sankok said.
" The same leaders are questioning why it isn't optional and they don't question why child vaccination isn't optional.
The archaic leaders are questioning the motive behind livestock vaccination and they never question the COVID vaccination certificates they were producing every time they travel." The Legislator continued.
" Let us be reasonable for once as leaders and avoid outdated politics like the time of multi party democracy when our people were told the two fingers salute means all Kenyans should have not more than 2 acres each." Sankok reiterated.
President William Ruto recently criticized Leaders and Kenyans opposed to government's livestock Vaccination plan, stating those without cattle should shut their mouths.
Ruto, while speaking during the fourth Pastoralist summit on Tuesday, December 10, stated there are individuals hell-bent on opposing every initiative the government undertakes, despite not having any knowledge in the fields.
" There's an evil spirit in Kenya, some leaders churn out falsehoods and oppose everything for the sake of opposing, like the Cattle Vaccination plan. Maybe they don't have cattle." Ruto said.
"If you don't know about cattle, when we are having this conversation about livestock vaccination, just shut up'' the agitated head of state said.
According to Govt, The control of disease, restricts access to lucrative markets for livestock and livestock products due to trade-sensitive restrictions imposed to prevent its spread. These restrictions hinder the movement of small ruminants and their products, affecting the economic well-being of pastoralist communities reliant on livestock.
The Kenya Kwanza government's BETA Agenda includes improving the meat value chain, recognizing the importance of Cows, sheep and goats in the rural economy and their contribution to the popular Nyama Choma joints across the country.
To support this agenda, the State Department for Livestock Development is rolling out a nationwide vaccination campaign.
According to the Government, The launch of a Nationwide vaccination campaign aims to safeguard the livelihoods of pastoralist communities and ensure food security by maintaining healthy livestock populations.
Critics however have opined there's an ulterior motive behind the livestock vaccination in the East African Country.
