09/05/2026
🐪 CAMELS NEED VACCINES — BEFORE THE CRISIS, NOT AFTER
The concerns are being raised on the ground. The time to prepare is now.
The Kenya Veterinary Paraprofessional Association (KVPA) team recently visited Dukana Ward, North Horr Sub-County, Marsabit County, along the Kenya–Ethiopia border, under the leadership of our Regional Representative, Woto Forore.
As we moved through the villages, meeting farmers and engaging with communities, farmers shared their concerns with us — particularly about the coming rains and the possible effects of El Niño on livestock health and livelihoods.
The conversations brought forward a much bigger concern:
ARE WE SUFFICIENTLY PREPARED TO PROTECT OUR CAMELS BEFORE THE NEXT MAJOR WEATHER CRISIS?
Woto Forore took us back to the experience of previous El Niño rains and the challenges faced by livestock-keeping communities in the region.
The concern is not simply about the rain.
It is about what extreme weather can mean for animal health, household incomes and pastoralist livelihoods.
For a pastoralist family, a camel is an asset, a source of livelihood, food security and resilience.
That is why preparedness must begin before the rains and before disease risks increase.
🌧️ WHY ARE FARMERS CONCERNED ABOUT EL NIÑO RAINS?
Previous periods of heavy El Niño-associated rainfall have raised concerns about increased risks of certain livestock diseases in affected areas.
One of the important concerns is Rift Valley Fever (RVF).
Heavy rains and flooding can create temporary pools of stagnant water that provide favourable breeding conditions for mosquitoes. Some mosquito species can carry and transmit the RVF virus between animals.
When mosquito populations increase significantly following heavy rainfall, the risk of RVF transmission can also increase, particularly where livestock are concentrated around flooded or waterlogged areas.
This is why early surveillance, farmer sensitisation, vaccination where appropriate, mosquito-control measures and timely veterinary response are important components of preparedness.
At the same time, other livestock diseases, including Haemorrhagic Septicaemia (HS), may also be a concern during periods of changing environmental conditions.
💉 PREPARE BEFORE THE RAINS
Farmers are encouraged to work closely with veterinary professionals and relevant veterinary authorities to ensure that their animals are appropriately protected.
Vaccination of healthy animals, where recommended, is an important part of disease prevention and preparedness.
💉 WE NEED VACCINES IN THE CAMEL-KEEPING AREAS NOW.
As we prepare for the coming rains, we need to see vaccination preparedness strengthened in camel-keeping communities.
We appeal to all stakeholders to work together so that appropriate vaccines can reach the communities in good time, before the disease risks increase.
This is not about waiting for a crisis.
It is about preparing ahead of the crisis.
🛡️ PREPARE WHILE THE ANIMALS ARE HEALTHY
Let us not wait for a disease situation to become an emergency.
Let us not wait until farmers are overwhelmed.
Let us not wait until communities are counting their losses.
Let us sensitise farmers early on the risks associated with heavy rains and flooding.
Let us strengthen disease surveillance in camel-keeping and pastoralist areas.
Let us encourage early reporting of unusual illness and disease concerns.
Let us ensure healthy animals receive appropriate vaccinations where recommended by veterinary authorities.
Let us strengthen veterinary outreach to communities in remote areas.
Let us mobilise communities before the rains, not after the crisis begins.
Let us strengthen collaboration between farmers, veterinary professionals, government services and livestock stakeholders.
PREVENTION IS AN INVESTMENT
Every healthy camel protected today represents a family asset preserved tomorrow.
Every farmer reached through sensitisation is better prepared to recognise disease and seek veterinary assistance early.
Every vaccination campaign conducted in good time strengthens:
Animal health.
Food security.
Household income.
Pastoralist resilience.
And the future of livestock-dependent communities.
The experience shared by Woto Forore from previous El Niño-related challenges should not simply remain a story we tell after another crisis.
Let it become a lesson that drives preparedness today.
🐪 CAMELS CANNOT WAIT. FARMERS CANNOT WAIT.
We need to prepare before the rains.
We need to sensitise farmers before the risks increase.
We need vaccines in the camel-keeping areas now — so that healthy animals can be protected in good time.
And we need stronger collaboration between farmers, veterinary professionals, government veterinary services and all livestock stakeholders.
🐪 LET US PROTECT THE CAMEL.
LET US PROTECT THE FARMER.
LET US PREPARE NOW.
KVPA — listening to farmers, working in the field, and advocating for stronger animal health systems.
Kenya Veterinary Paraprofessional Association (K.V.P.A) State House Kenya Office of the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Agriculture & Livestock Dev't Kenya Veterinary Paraprofessional Association - KVPA State Department for Livestock Development. Munene Gikundi Navcdp Directorate of Veterinary Services - DVS Kenya FAO Kenya World Organisation for Animal Health World Animal Protection Africa Africa Network for Animal Welfare [ANAW] Zoetis Sub-Saharan Africa - ALPHA Africa Animal Welfare Conference KALRO
