A section of dairy farmers in Kibomet, Trans Nzoia County, are calling on the government to intervene urgently after an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) devastated their livestock over the past three weeks.
The highly contagious viral disease has left many herds in poor condition, with farmers reporting reduced milk production, weight loss, and deaths among calves. Farmer Nathan Chebor, one of the hardest hit, said the outbreak has crippled his livelihood.
“Out of my 20 cows, 12 have been infected, and I have already lost five calves. My milk production has dropped from 50 liters a day to just 10 liters. This disease has brought us to our knees,” Chebor lamented.
He described the painful symptoms afflicting his animals, including blisters and ulcers on the feet and mouth that make walking and feeding difficult.
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“The lameness and weakness are heartbreaking to watch. The welfare of our livestock is deteriorating each day, and if this continues, I don’t know how we will survive,” he said.
With limited veterinary support, Chebor said he has resorted to using magadi and baking powder in an attempt to treat his cows, though he admitted the remedies are not sufficient.
Another farmer, Fredrick Rono, warned that unless swift measures are taken, the disease could spread widely and cripple the county's dairy sector.
“This outbreak is not just a threat to individual farmers but to the entire dairy economy of Trans Nzoia. If the government does not act quickly, we will face massive economic losses,” Rono cautioned.
Rono urged authorities to shut down livestock markets, particularly the Maili Nane market in Cherang’any constituency and declare quarantine measures to contain the spread.
“It may be painful in the short term, but without quarantine, this disease will only keep moving from one farmer to another,” he told The Standard.
Local livestock leaders have also taken steps to slow the spread.
David Boit, a member of the Kibomet cattle dip committee, confirmed that they have temporarily closed the facility.
“We cannot risk farmers bringing their animals here at this time. To control FMD, farmers must also stop grazing their cattle along roadsides where infections can easily spread,” Boit explained.
Farmers now want the Ministry of Agriculture and county veterinary officers to deploy vaccines, enforce quarantine rules, and provide treatment support. Without such action, they warn, the outbreak could spiral into a full-blown crisis, undermining food security and livelihoods in one of the country’s dairy strongholds.
Trans Nzoia County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Phanice Khatundi, confirmed that the county is aware of the outbreak and said plans are underway to roll out emergency vaccination and sensitization campaigns.
“We are working closely with veterinary officers to contain the situation. Quarantine measures will be enforced in affected areas, and vaccines will be deployed to farmers. We appeal to livestock keepers to cooperate with our teams so that together we can stop the spread of this disease,” Khatundi said.
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