The Garissa County Government, in partnership with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), has launched a large-scale livestock vaccination and treatment campaign aimed at protecting more than 80,000 animals across the Greater Dadaab Sub-County.
The 13-day exercise, rolled out under the Area-Based Livelihoods Initiative (ABLI-G II) project, is targeting four key wards: Liboi, Damajale, Labisigale, and Abakaile.
The initiative is designed to safeguard the livelihoods of pastoralist and refugee-hosting communities by strengthening livestock health ahead of the high-risk disease season that typically follows the onset of rains.
Speaking during the launch in Kumahumato, Abakaile Ward, and Abdisugow Village in Damajale Ward, County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock, and Pastoral Economy, Hon. Milgo Keinan, described the intervention as both timely and strategic.
“With the rains approaching, we often see a rise in livestock diseases and vectors. This campaign is critical in preventing outbreaks and ensuring our communities do not suffer avoidable losses,” she said.
Hon. Keinan noted that dedicated county veterinary teams have been deployed across the targeted areas to deliver a comprehensive package of services.
These include vaccinations, deworming, vector control, treatment of clinical cases, and on-site animal health education for livestock keepers.
She urged herders to actively participate in the exercise, emphasising the importance of vaccinating animals against key trade-sensitive diseases such as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia (CCPP), and Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD).
“Protecting your livestock now secures your household income and preserves your access to markets. We encourage all pastoralists to take full advantage of this initiative,” she added.
The campaign is expected to directly benefit approximately 1,112 livestock-keeping households, many of whom rely heavily on livestock as their primary source of income and food security.
The joint initiative underscores ongoing efforts by Garissa County and its partners to build resilience among pastoral communities, enhance animal health systems, and sustain livelihoods in one of Kenya’s key livestock corridors.