Lusaka launches Ksh29M Bungoma E-voucher cattle vaccination drive

Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has unveiled a Sh29.2 million countywide cattle vaccination and identification programme, promising to shield farmers from devastating livestock losses while boosting productivity.

Speaking at Wabukhonyi in Ndivisi Ward during the official launch, Lusaka said the initiative anchored on an E-Voucher subsidy system,will ensure over 266,000 cattle are vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) across the county.

“This programme is about protecting our farmers from losses and improving market access. Every cow will be registered, identified, and monitored through modern technology to enhance traceability and animal health,” Lusaka said.

Under the scheme, farmers will pay KSh 50 per animal, while the county government tops up with a KSh 110 subsidy. To implement the programme effectively, the county has engaged 58 private animal health practitioners to work alongside government veterinarians in door-to-door vaccination, a departure from the old mass vaccination model.

Alongside the vaccination drive, Lusaka announced the rollout of a cattle identification system using the Mifugo 360 Super App, which will digitally link each cow to its owner. The innovation is expected to improve disease monitoring, curb livestock theft, and open structured markets for farmers.

The governor also highlighted wider agricultural reforms, including the establishment of Ward-based SACCOs to improve farmers’ access to credit, support for Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), and the multiplication of high-quality Jun Cao fodder in every ward.

“We are not only vaccinating cattle, but also laying the foundation for sustainable livestock farming and better incomes for our people,” he emphasized.

Lusaka urged farmers to fully embrace the programme, warning that failing to vaccinate or register animals could expose them to unnecessary losses.

The launch marks a milestone in Bungoma’s efforts to modernize agriculture and secure livelihoods in a county where livestock rearing remains a backbone of the rural economy.