‘When we are having conversation about livestock, shut up’ – Ruto slams critics of mass vaccination

President William Ruto has bashed some leaders for opposing the livestock vaccination campaign scheduled to commence in 2025.

Speaking on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, during the launch of the pastoralist summit, the head of state argued that the exercise aims to eliminate livestock diseases including foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).

Thus, he called on those without knowledge about livestock rearing to leave the conversation to experts.

Evil Spirits

While calling out those opposing the livestock vaccination campaign slated for next year, Ruto lamented over the existence of evil spirits in the country.

He argued that the evil spirit is mostly residents in the leaders whom he accuse of churning out falsehoods to disparage his administration.

“There is an evil spirit in Kenya that is resident in some leaders. They churn out falsehood, they oppose everything for the sake of opposing.

“I mean foot and mouth disease, and PPI are diseases which we have been fighting ever since I was born it is nothing new. So anybody opposing vaccination to eliminate FMD and PPI is simply mad and unreasonable and possibly stupid,” Ruto stated.

“Honestly, how else can you explain or maybe they don’t have cattle, they don’t understand what this is all about. So if you are used to planting things you don’t know about livestock, please, when we are having a conversation about livestock, shut up!” he insisted.

Despite mounting pressure to drop the vaccination drive, Ruto vowed to soldier on. He assured the farmers that the vaccines are safe and that they are sourced locally.

The president officially announced the plans to vaccinate livestock on November 8, 2024. Ruto said 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep will be vaccinated.

He explained that the programme will help prevent animal diseases and thus secure the international market for livestock products.

“This will ensure we access both national and international markets for our livestock products,” he stated.

While making the announcement, Ruto pleaded with farmers to avail their animals for vaccination to help tackle diseases and improve the product shipped out to foreign markets.