By Mercy Buyanzi -Trans Nzoia County
Farmers in Kibomet area of Trans Nzoia County farmers have been thrown into panic mode following an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) that has left several cattle dead and many others infected.
Nathan Chebor, a dairy farmer told Horizon News that so far 20 of his cows are battling the deadly disease and that already four of them have died.
“Our livestock are affected. We call for urgent assistance because foot and mouth disease is already in this area, yet no action has been taken by the concerned parties,”Chebor said in an interview.
Despite the outbreak of the contagious disease, livestock auction at Maili Nane livestock yard in Cherang’any Subcounty still in operation threatening farmers’ livelihoods.
Fredrick Rono, another livestock farmer expressed his worry that if no urgent action is taken, the disease is likely to wipe away their livestock.
“We are very worried that we are likely to lose all our cows. We want the County government of Trans Nzoia to swing into action and help salvage the situation,” Rono said, urging veterinary officers to roll out mass immunization.
Despite FMD, farmers are also battling with ticks since cattle dips around the area were closed.
David Boit, slammed Governor George Natembeya’s administration for neglecting them and failing to heed to their distress call.
“Our only cattle dip has been closed because of the outbreak. Let them (County Government) not be selective in their interventions,” said Boit.
The farmers are now pushing for urgent mass vaccination of livestock, reopening of closed cattle dips and putting in place of tight regulations on movement of livestock to avert the spread of FMD.
Majority of Trans Nzoia residents heavily rely on maize and livestock farming. If the disease is not contained in good time, it can affect meat and milk production thereby affecting the economy of farmers and Trans Nzoia County at large.
