Operations at the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB) have been paralysed for a year since the term limit of the board members expired and the government not appointed replacements.

Due to the crisis, new graduates have not been registered within the period, leading to a rise of quacks in the field.

Kenya Veterinary Paraprofessionals Association (KVPA) is now pointing an accusing finger at Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya for the impasse. 

KVPA national chair John Ngigi said yesterday the term of KVB board members expired on March 20, 2021.

In a statement, Ngigi (pictured) said soon after veterinary surgeons and veterinary paraprofessionals held elections to replace the outgoing members. “The CS is yet to appoint those who were elected despite obtaining a court order thereby hindering the operations of Kenya Veterinary Board,” he said yesterday.
Respect court orders

He urged Munya to respect court orders and gazette the remaining board members to ensure the board offers services to Kenyans. “Kenya Veterinary Paraprofessional Association condemns the action of the CS of cherry-picking the board members against several court orders,” he said.

Ngigi said the impasse has adversely affected operations of the board leading to losses among livestock farmers adding that due to the impasse, quacks were having a field day since the board was not in place to enforce the code of practice thus harming consumers. “KVB should fast-track the recruitment of inspectors and deploy them to the field to enable smooth running and access to board services by wananchi,” he said.

This came even as the Africa Veterinary and Technicians Association confirmed that use of antibiotics was on the rise leading to an increase in drug residues in livestock products.