Turkana Launches Mass Livestock Vaccination to Boost Export Trade
Elelea, 18 July 2026
Turkana has launched a drive to vaccinate 100,000 animals, securing local livelihoods and preparing disease-free livestock for lucrative international export markets.
A Strategic Partnership for Pastoralist Resilience
The Turkana County Government has officially commenced a crucial 10-day livestock vaccination and treatment campaign in Turkana East, specifically targeting the areas of Elelea, Karoge, and Lokapel [1]. This intensive field operation is the direct result of a public-private partnership with GENCO Livestock and Fresh Meat Export Ltd, established during a consultative planning meeting in Lodwar exactly seven days prior to the launch [1]. The initiative aims to protect and treat 100,000 animals, safeguarding the primary economic assets of local pastoralist communities who rely heavily on livestock for survival [1].
Field operations have already demonstrated significant momentum. According to Dr Benson Longo’r, the Turkana County Director of Veterinary Services, teams managed to vaccinate and treat over 30,000 animals in Elelea and Lokapel during the first three days of the campaign alone [1]. This rapid start means that veterinary teams achieved 30% of their total target in just 30% of the allocated time, leaving 70000 animals to be treated during the final seven days of the exercise. Dr Longo’r expressed confidence that the final figures will surpass the initial 100,000 animal target [1].
Mitigating Disease Risks for Host and Refugee Communities
Beyond immediate economic benefits, the vaccination drive plays a vital role in regional biosecurity and humanitarian stability. The livestock trade is a shared economic pillar for both the local Turkana host communities and the large refugee population residing in the Kakuma refugee camp [GPT]. Both groups depend extensively on the local market for essential food supplies, including fresh meat and milk [GPT]. By immunising livestock against highly contagious transboundary diseases, the campaign acts as a critical buffer, preventing potential cross-border animal disease outbreaks that could devastatingly disrupt regional food security and trade networks [GPT].
The campaign targets some of the most destructive livestock diseases in the region, most notably Peste des Petits Ruminantes (PPR), commonly known as sheep and goat plague [1]. Local pastoralists, such as Kamar Lojao from Echoke village, have expressed immense relief at having their herds protected against PPR, which frequently decimates local flocks [1]. However, local Community Disease Reporters, including Ngitira Ekitela, have pointed out that tick-borne diseases also pose a severe, ongoing threat in the Elelea area [1]. While welcoming the county’s provision of vaccines, dewormers, and technical equipment, local reporters have urged the government to also supply acaricides to help pastoralists effectively manage tick infestations [1].
Unlocking Export Pathways and Local Livelihoods
The collaboration with GENCO Livestock and Fresh Meat Export Ltd highlights a long-term economic strategy to transition local pastoralism from subsistence to commercial export [1]. Dr Longo’r explained that establishing comprehensive disease control across the value chain is a prerequisite for standardised market access [1]. By identifying and certifying disease-free animals at the farm gate, the county government aims to open up lucrative internal and external international markets for Turkana’s livestock producers [1]. To support this, the county has deployed dedicated technical officers and advanced veterinary equipment across the vast territory [1].
Executing a large-scale veterinary campaign in Turkana—which is Kenya’s second-largest county, spanning some 77,000 square kilometres—presents immense logistical hurdles [1]. Success has relied heavily on grassroots mobilisation. Dr Sibiah Ratemo of GENCO commended the instrumental role played by local women in sensitising communities and organising pastoralists to bring their herds to designated water points for vaccination [1]. This community-led approach has ensured high turnout rates, proving that local cooperation is essential for achieving broad herd immunity in highly mobile pastoralist societies [1].