Garissa County launches digital livestock vaccination drive to boost pastoralist resilience
The vaccination campaign continues across various wards in the coming days, with county teams targeting tens of thousands of cattle, goats and sheep.
Garissa County has launched the national e-voucher livestock vaccination programme, marking a major step towards strengthening animal health and safeguarding pastoralist livelihoods across the region.
The programme, rolled out at Bulla Hodhan in Sankuri Ward, is supported by the World Bank-funded Food Systems Resilience Project (FSRP) and implemented under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Development. It introduces a digital voucher system that subsidises vaccination costs for pastoralists and small-scale livestock keepers.
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The initiative aims to increase vaccination coverage for peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and foot and mouth disease (FMD) from the current 30 per cent to at least 80 per cent, significantly reducing the prevalence and economic impact of transboundary livestock diseases.
Under the scheme, livestock owners pay only a small portion of the vaccine cost: Sh3 per goat or sheep for the PPR vaccine (total cost Sh13), and Sh50 per head of cattle for the FMD vaccine (total cost Sh160).
The government covers the remaining subsidy—Sh10 for PPR and Sh110 for FMD—making the service affordable even for vulnerable households.
Mobile veterinary teams
In addition, mobile veterinary teams will move across remote settlements to ensure high coverage, while the digital system enhances traceability, transparency and quality control.
County Director for Veterinary Services, Dr Haret Hambe, said the initiative marks a transformative moment for pastoralists in Garissa.
"For years, low vaccination coverage has left our herds vulnerable to outbreaks. With this digital voucher system, we are eliminating cost barriers, improving access, and ensuring every vaccine administered is traceable," Hambe said.
"If communities embrace this program, Garissa will be on the frontline of eliminating PPR from Kenya by 2027."
Dr Haret added that the county has already completed community sensitisation, registration of livestock keepers, and training of vaccinators to ensure a smooth rollout.
Chief Officer for Agriculture Mohamed Omar, who presided over the launch, urged farmers across Garissa to fully participate in the programme.
"This is one of the most farmer-friendly initiatives we have ever implemented. Government is cushioning livestock keepers from the high cost of vaccines so that no household is left behind," Mohamed said.
"We want every farmer in Garissa to bring out their animals, get vaccinated and protect their livelihoods. Together, we can stop PPR and significantly reduce FMD cases in our county."
He noted that livestock keepers who were not previously registered would be enrolled on-site by vaccination teams.
The launch event brought together officials from the county veterinary department, the Ministry of Agriculture, FSRP teams, local leaders and Sankuri community members.
Farmers welcomed the initiative, saying it would reduce disease-related losses and improve livestock productivity—a critical lifeline for households in Garissa’s arid lands.
The vaccination campaign continues across various wards in the coming days, with county teams targeting tens of thousands of cattle, goats and sheep.
This comes as the national government also intensifies efforts to revive pastoral livelihoods in Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) through a major livestock restocking programme. The event, held in Marsabit on Friday, signalled renewed commitment to restoring dignity and economic stability among drought-hit households.
Principal Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development, Harsama, who presided over the event, said the initiative follows a catastrophic drought that claimed more than 2.5 million livestock, leaving thousands of pastoral families on the brink of collapse.
"This initiative is not just an intervention; it is a powerful testament to the government's steadfast commitment to restoring livelihoods, dignity, and hope across ASAL communities," PS Harsama said.
Acting on President William Ruto's directive, he stated that the State Department — working through the National Drought Management Authority (NDMA) — is rolling out a comprehensive restocking programme targeting the most vulnerable households.
In Marsabit County, the government has already supported families with camels and goats as part of the recovery effort.
PS Harsama, accompanied by North Horr MP Wario Adhe, distributed 100 camels to residents of Kalacha in North Horr Constituency, marking another significant step in rebuilding the region’s pastoral economy.
"By giving families back their livestock, we are restoring their source of income, nutrition, and resilience. This is how communities begin to stand on their feet again," Harsama noted as he handed over the animals to beneficiaries.
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