Hundreds of pastoralists living along the Kenya-Uganda border will benefit from a nine day livestock treatment exercise that is being jointly conducted by the Turkana County government, Food Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and VSF Germany.
The County government of Turkana through the veterinary department has provided vaccines targeted to treat 80,000 goats and 20,000 cattle. Goats will be vaccinated against Peste des Petit Ruminant (goat plague) locally known as Lomoo while cattle will be treated for Lumpy Skin Disease.
Speaking during the official launch of the cross-border Program at Lokiriama,County director of Veterinary services Benson Longor said that the main aim of the exercise was to control the spread of Livestock diseases as pastoralists move from one place to another in search of water and pasture.
While thanking partners for supporting the exercise, Longor called on pastoralists to cooperate with authorities and abide with the rules to avoid conflict as they move to the neighbouring country during the 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 the solution of animal related cases .
The cross-border exercise, which is being coordinated by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development(IGAD) was also launched at Rupa in Moroto district of Uganda. The launch was also attended by representatives from Veterinary department of Kenya National government and officials from West Pokot County.
IGAD represantative Dr. Wamalwa Kinyajui applauded the historical cross -border peace agreement that was signed by Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta and Yoweri Museveni a few months ago saying it has eased the movement of pastoralists and treatment of livestock diseases.
On his part the 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.
