NAIROBI, Kenya, Aug 11 – The Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) has called for accelerated preparations to protect the country’s livestock sector from the expected impacts of El Niño conditions projected to persist through early 2027.
KVA President Kelvin Osore said the anticipated weather patterns could increase livestock disease outbreaks, deaths and injuries while disrupting livestock markets and damaging critical infrastructure.
The association said pastoralists and livestock farmers remain particularly vulnerable to flooding, contaminated water sources, disease outbreaks and disruptions to feed and livestock value chains.
“The anticipated weather conditions pose significant risks to Kenya’s livestock sector, including increased incidence of vector-borne and climate-sensitive diseases, livestock injuries and mortalities,” Osore said.
KVA said lessons from the 2023–2024 El Niño, which triggered widespread flooding, displacement, infrastructure destruction and livestock losses, demonstrate the need to invest in preparedness before extreme weather strikes.
“Preparedness is considerably less costly than emergency response after disasters have already occurred.”
The association welcomed preparedness measures being undertaken by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), including enhanced disease surveillance, vector monitoring, laboratory capacity strengthening and the pre-positioning of vaccines and emergency veterinary supplies.
Other measures include strategic vaccination against priority diseases such as Rift Valley Fever, preparation of livestock feed and fodder, rehabilitation of water points and development of public risk communication programmes.
However, KVA wants the implementation of these measures accelerated, including through emergency pre-emptive livestock vaccination campaigns, protection of water infrastructure and deployment of mobile veterinary units to high-risk pastoral areas.
The association is also calling for emergency destocking programmes to be activated by September 2026, alongside increased funding and faster mobilisation of national and county government resources.
KVA said coordination between the national government, county administrations and development partners will be critical in expanding surveillance, vaccination and emergency response capacity in high-risk areas.
The association and DVS have agreed to strengthen collaboration on farmer awareness, technical advocacy, resource mobilisation and development of a costed preparedness and response plan.
KVA has urged livestock owners to consult veterinary professionals, strengthen vector and parasite control, protect feed and water supplies, identify safe areas ahead of possible flooding and promptly report unusual animal illnesses or deaths.
The association said early action would help limit livestock losses, protect household incomes and strengthen Kenya’s resilience to extreme weather.
