Anyone opposing livestock vaccination is mad, possibly stupid, says Ruto
Ruto said the vaccination will target the country's 22 million heads of cattle and 50 million small-stock in a bid to combat diseases that have long affected the sector.
President William Ruto has defended the government's planned nationwide livestock vaccination campaign, vehemently criticising those who oppose it.
Speaking at the Pastoralist Leadership Summit in Wajir County, Ruto dismissed opponents of the vaccination drive, calling them "mad, unreasonable, and possibly stupid".
"There is an evil spirit in some leaders in Kenya. They churn out falsehood and oppose everything for the sake of opposing. Anybody opposing the vaccination of diseases among our livestock is mad, unreasonable, and possibly stupid; or they don't have cattle. If you don't have cattle, shut up," said the President.
According to Ruto, the vaccination will target the country's 22 million heads of cattle and 50 million small-stock in a bid to combat diseases that have long affected the sector.
"Foot and mouth disease and PPR (peste des petits ruminants) are diseases we have been fighting since I was born. By vaccinating them, we can prevent our livestock from getting infected through outbreaks outside our borders," he said.
The President insisted that the programme is critical to managing disease prevalence and opening up international markets for Kenya's livestock products.
Ruto's strong utterances come amidst criticism by Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka who claimed that the nationwide vaccination programme is a ploy by the government to introduce a genetically modified approach to harm Kenyans.
"There is a plan to use Kenya as a testing ground for dangerous substances. This regime is however hell-bent on drowning out dissenting voices so they can have their way," he said.
Other leaders who have called out the government on the same matter include DAP-K party leader Eugene Wamalwa and Jubilee Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni.
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