Pastoralists living along the Kenya-Uganda border will benefit from a nine day livestock treatment exercise that is being jointly done by County government, Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and VSF Germany.
The County government through the veterinary department has provided vaccines for 80,000 shoats and 20,000 cattle. Shoats will be vaccinated against Peste des Petit Ruminant locally known as Lomoo while cattle will get treatment on Lumpy Skin Diseases.
Speaking during the official launch of the cross-border Program at Lokiriama, County director of Veterinary services Benson Longor said that the exercise was being done to control spread of Livestock diseases as pastoralist move from one place to another in search of Water and pasture.
While thanking partners for supporting the exercise, Longor called on the pastoralists to cooperate with authorities and abide with rules to avoid conflict as they move to the neighbouring country during dry season.
He assured them of the department’s support on regular treatment of their livestock urging them to work closely with local leaders and veterinary officers to ease coverage of animal related cases.
The cross-border exercise, which is being coordinated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) was also launched at the Rupa in Moroto district of Uganda, and also attended by representatives from Veterinary department of National government and officials from West Pokot County.
IGAD representative Dr. Wamalwa Kinyanjui applauded the historical cross -border peace agreement that was signed by presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Yoweri Museveni of Uganda a few months ago saying it has eased movement of pastoralists and treatment of livestock diseases.
On his part Moroto district Chief administrative officer Edward Echo noted that the harmonized vaccination exercise was a milestone achievement that would cement Unity among the pastoralist communities living at the Kenya-Uganda border.
By Peter Gitonga
