Embu County Launches Massive Drive to Vaccinate Cattle Against Foot and Mouth Disease

County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, John Nyaga, said the campaign was prompted by the need to contain the virus and avert a possible widespread outbreak that could severely affect farmers’ livelihoods.

''I want to call upon our farmers to cooperate during this exercise so that we can protect their livestock through vaccination,'' said Nyaga. 

He revealed that the county targets to vaccinate about 96,000 cattle as part of efforts to control the spread of the highly infectious disease, which can cause livestock deaths and significant economic losses.

Addressing chiefs and assistant chiefs from across the county on Monday 10th November 2025, Nyaga said the administrators will play a key role in mobilizing farmers to participate in the exercise, noting that prevention through routine vaccination remains the only effective approach since the disease has no cure.

County Agriculture Chief Officer, Njeru Mwita, emphasized that vaccinating all cattle would safeguard the livestock sector and ensure the county remains free from foot and mouth disease.

He attributed the recent cases to low vaccine uptake by farmers and urged them to cooperate fully this time to protect their herds and strengthen livestock health.

“We are working closely with local administrators to make sure the vaccination drive is effective and reaches every corner of the county,” Mwita said.

Embu county commissioner Jack Obuo urged the chiefs and their assistants to sensitize farmers and ensure all cattle are brought for vaccination.

He applauded the partnership between the national and county governments in advancing agricultural productivity and promoting the local economy.

The mass vaccination exercise forms part of the county’s wider livestock health and food security initiative aimed at enhancing farmers’ resilience and boosting agricultural output.