As Kenya prepares to initiate a large-scale livestock vaccination program, significant backlash from farmers arises due to social media-driven conspiracy theories and concerns over government transparency. The initiative aims to increase vaccination coverage from 10% to 85% to make livestock products export-ready, but misleading claims about foreign influence and safety have led to heightened skepticism among the agricultural community.
Resistance Grows in Kenya Against Livestock Vaccination Program
Resistance Grows in Kenya Against Livestock Vaccination Program
Growing mistrust and misinformation surround the Kenyan government's initiative to vaccinate cattle and livestock against diseases amid a backdrop of local opposition fueled by conspiracy theories.
An ambitious program to vaccinate Kenya’s livestock is set to commence this week, yet it confronts substantial backlash from farmers resistant to the initiative, largely due to misleading claims circulating on social media. The government assures that the vaccinations will incur no cost to farmers, as it will cover the expenses, but skepticism reigns.
Robert Nkukuu, a cattle herder from Nakuru County, expressed the gravity of the situation, stating, “If the community here learns you are pro-vaccination they will slay you just now.” The government aims to vaccinate 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep over the next three years, intending to increase the vaccination rate from a mere 10% to 85%, a move seen as essential to boost export eligibility for Kenya's livestock products.
President William Ruto, himself a commercial farmer, emphasizes that the initiative is crucial for controlling diseases like foot-and-mouth disease in cattle. However, skepticism among farmers is exacerbated by claims, particularly conspiracy theories suggesting that the program is funded by Bill Gates as part of a broader agenda to control livestock emissions. The apprehension intensified after social media users circulated videos of Gates discussing the need for vaccines to mitigate methane emissions caused by livestock.
Despite assertions from Jonathan Mueke, a senior agriculture official, denying Gates' involvement, conspiracy theories have proliferated, with influential figures, including farmers and politicians, voicing their opposition. This has led to a concerning trend where public sentiment against vaccinations has morphed into hostility, with some farmers openly vowing to resist the government’s plan.
Politicians, including opposition leader Kalonzo Musyoka, have been amplifying the dissent, asserting the program could genetically alter livestock in harmful ways and declaring it a violation of constitutional rights. Critics argue that such campaigns are poorly communicated and lack transparency, worsening the trust deficit faced by Ruto's government.
The spread of misinformation has provoked calls from the Kenya Veterinary Association for a pause in the vaccination exercise to improve public understanding and quell fears. The association's chair Dr. Kelvin Osore emphasized that the politicization of the campaign detracts from its goal of disease control.
Dr. Allan Azegele, the director of veterinary services, countered, arguing for the urgency of the vaccination campaign given recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease that led to livestock market closures. He stressed the need for proactive measures, stating, "We cannot wait… because it is more expensive to respond to outbreaks."
Agriculture Minister Mutahi Kagwe reassured farmers that the vaccination effort would be voluntary and highlighted the necessity of engaging stakeholders to combat misinformation. Nonetheless, distrust remains palpable among many farmers, with some fearing potential foreign interference and adverse effects from the vaccines.
While a few farmers, like Ngemu Musau from Makueni County, welcome the vaccinations, they demand that the government ensure transparency and safety before proceeding. Musau exclaimed, "I want assurance that my cattle will be OK after the vaccine," underscoring the critical need for more comprehensive public education on the initiative.
As the launch of the vaccination program nears, it remains to be seen if the Kenyan government can overcome the challenges posed by skepticism and unite its agricultural community toward a shared objective of improved livestock health and market prospects.
