Kericho County has begun a large-scale cattle vaccination campaign aimed at containing the spread of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) after confirmed outbreaks in Soin/Sigowet and Kipkelion West. The exercise, spearheaded by the Department of Agriculture and Livestock, follows the enforcement of a livestock quarantine in Soin/Sigowet from July 3, restricting all animal movements and suspending livestock markets. County officials say the vaccination drive is a critical emergency response to prevent the highly contagious disease from spreading further across the region’s vital dairy and beef farming zones, which support thousands of households.
The campaign is being coordinated by Sub-County Veterinary Officers, who have shared vaccination schedules with farmers in high-risk locations. Kipkelion West Sub-County Veterinary Officer, Dennis Kimutai, confirmed that the outbreak had affected all four wards in the area, with Kunyak Ward recording the highest number of cases. He said the county has secured 15,000 vaccine doses for the six affected sub-counties, with Kipkelion West expected to administer slightly more than 3,000. The rollout will begin in Kapkwen before moving to Kapkoros and other locations as vaccines are distributed. In Soin/Sigowet, the exercise kicked off today and will run until July 17, covering hotspot zones such as Kaptessa, Korongui, Kiptugumo, and Koyabei.
Local farmers have welcomed the vaccination initiative, expressing relief that the county is taking decisive action to protect their livelihoods. Many say the disease had already disrupted milk production and cattle trade, worsening economic pressures in the region. County officials are urging full cooperation from livestock owners, stressing that failure to vaccinate could prolong the quarantine and increase losses. The county government plans to intensify surveillance, secure additional vaccines, and strengthen disease control systems to prevent future outbreaks. If the current campaign succeeds, Kericho could restore stability to its livestock sector and set a stronger foundation for resilience against recurring livestock diseases.