NAIROBI, Jan. 20 — The climate crisis is exacerbating the spread of livestock diseases and contributing to the loss of pasture and water in Kenya, threatening food and nutrition security, a senior official said on Monday. Allan Azegele, director of veterinary services in the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development, said that global warming is currently causing a prolonged dry season, which reduces available pastures and forces livestock to relocate in search of grazing areas. “The relocation as a result of extreme climatic events further leads to the emergence and spread of infectious diseases in areas with vaccinated animals,” Azegele said at a briefing in Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Azegele noted that Kenya’s livestock sector is under threat from rising global temperatures, prompting the decision to vaccinate 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep at risk of contracting Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) and Pestes des Petit Ruminantes (PPR). He added that plans are underway to increase the percentage of vaccinated animals from the current 10 percent to 80 percent later this month. Azegele warned that climate change is a significant threat to agro-pastoralism, leading to biodiversity loss and the spread of infectious diseases. “We intend to improve food security, increase exports of meat, dairy, leather, and reduce imports of the same commodities in the country,” Azegele said. In addition to vaccinations, Kenya is intensifying efforts to improve animal feeds, nutrition, and breed quality to support livestock farmers’ profitability. The country also plans to collaborate with neighboring countries like Uganda, Ethiopia, and Tanzania, while strengthening surveillance to control livestock diseases. Kenya has announced a national vaccination campaign for livestock against FMD and PPR, scheduled to begin later this month.
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