The Kenya Livestock Management Council (KLMC) has urged the government to provide free vaccination to pastoralist regions all over the country. This comes shortly after East Pokot District Commissioner, Amos Mariba complained of the spread of livestock diseases in the North Rift region.

This, coupled with drought, has contributed to higher local meat prices. A report by TradeMark states that Kenyans pay and about KES 360 for a kilogram of meat compared to KES 315 in the global meat market.

KLMC spokesman, Qalicha Wario noted that despite the fact that it only costs KES 20 to immunize one animal, most pastoralists are unable to incur the cost. He said that some herders have over 500 goats which translate to KES 10,000, a large sum in low income regions like Turkana and some parts of Pokot.

According to the KLMC, pastoralists and livestock farmers living in arid and semi-arid areas account for 70% of the country’s goats. Wario said that vaccines would be a major step in curbing the spread of diseases. He also mentioned that the proposal would open opportunities for a good market and better meat prices.

Mariba encouraged the move and said that the government has already set aside 300 million to construct a training institute that will be used to educate livestock farmers. He stated that the institute will help pastoralists to avoid any more losses.

The Council has also urged farmers to join unions in order to maximise on the returns from their livestock. Wario noted that the KLMC is currently working on a private-public partnership that aims to eradicate poverty in such regions. He said that the joint venture will increase the region's revenue.