Meru County receives 11,000 vaccines to boost animal health

Meru County has received a significant boost in its livestock health programme with the delivery of 11,000 vaccines from the Ministry of Agriculture. The vaccines, handed over to Governor Kawira Mwangaza by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mithika Linturi, are intended to protect cattle, goats, cows, dogs, and cats against major livestock diseases. Of the total, 2,000 doses target foot and mouth disease while 9,000 address lumpy skin disease, both of which have previously affected livestock productivity in the county.
CS Linturi emphasized that the donation aligns with the government’s broader agenda to enhance livestock productivity and support sustainable agricultural development. We understand the financial constraints counties face in procuring vaccines, and this intervention comes at a critical time for Meru farmers, he said. The ministry also provided two vehicles and assigned five veterinary officers to expedite the ongoing vaccination exercise, which began about a month ago. Governor Mwangaza welcomed the support, noting that the vaccines will help mitigate some of the county’s financial challenges while ensuring the health and welfare of livestock.
The initiative is expected to have a long-term impact on both household nutrition and economic growth in Meru. Linturi lauded the county’s ongoing programme of donating dairy cows to vulnerable families, highlighting that improved milk production will benefit both local markets and the national supply. Looking ahead, the government plans to introduce sexed semen for dairy cows, starting in December, to enhance the quality of heifers and further boost milk output. County officials are committed to working closely with the ministry to ensure that livestock health interventions translate into tangible benefits for farmers and communities across Meru.