As the debate over the vaccination of livestock in Kenya intensifies, Permanent Secretary for the State Department for Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, has clarified Bill Gates’ role in the process.
The government’s plan to vaccinate millions of livestock across the country has faced significant opposition from Kenyans, leaders, and stakeholders who claim that the initiative has malicious intent.
A portion of the population, including some leaders, is rejecting the vaccine, with allegations that it is being supplied by Bill Gates and could pose a threat to both livestock and human health.
Addressing these concerns on Wednesday, December 18, PS Mueke reassured the public that the vaccines are not sourced from Bill Gates but are instead locally produced.
“I have heard claims about the origin of these vaccines, with some suggesting they are coming from America or Bill Gates.
I want to clarify that the vaccines are manufactured locally by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), a government institution,” Mueke stated.
“The claims linking these vaccines to Bill Gates are false,” he added.
Bill Gates has previously faced controversy, particularly regarding the COVID-19 vaccines.
In October 2024, seven Dutch plaintiffs filed a lawsuit alleging that Gates and others misled the public about the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines, though Gates has dismissed the accusations as false.
Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, a vocal critic of the vaccination program, argues that those behind the initiative do not conduct similar vaccination campaigns in their own countries.
He claims that foreign vaccines are being imported and that the true agenda is to eradicate farm animal production in Kenya, replacing traditional livestock with synthetic meats.
“This scheme aims to end beef and other meat production as we know it in Kenya.
The promoters of this project want to replace farm foods with industrially produced synthetic meats,” Kalonzo said in November.
However, PS Mueke rejected these allegations, emphasizing that the vaccination effort is meant to enhance Kenya’s international livestock market.
He noted that the quality of Kenya’s livestock production has suffered due to a lack of vaccination certificates, and he assured farmers that vaccinating their animals would improve yields, particularly for international markets.
While the debate continues, President Ruto has strongly supported the vaccination initiative, which aims to cover 22 million cows and 50 million goats and sheep. On Tuesday, the president criticized those opposing the program.
Meanwhile, the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) has raised concerns and called for the postponement of the mass vaccination exercise, citing four key risks.
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