On February 6, 2025, during the launch of the Livestock Vaccination Drive in Garissa County, President William Ruto defended the government’s initiative, responding to critics who had attempted to link the program to Bill Gates. Ruto called on farmers to disregard the “baseless” claims being spread by those questioning the initiative.
Addressing the concerns, the president posed a rhetorical question to the farmers of Garissa: “Why would you listen to someone telling you not to vaccinate your cattle when they don’t even own any livestock themselves?” He emphasized that livestock vaccination had been a long-standing practice in Kenya, and the current drive was no different from the previous efforts.
Ruto further dismissed the claims that Bill Gates was involved in the vaccination program, stating, “You have been vaccinating your cattle all these years, and now someone comes here mixing English and Swahili, telling you to stop because of someone called Bill Gates. Where is Bill Gates in Garissa? Is Bill Gates here in Garissa?” The president reiterated that the initiative is entirely Kenyan-led, with vaccines produced at the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute in Kabete and administered by local veterinarians.
“These are our cattle, our veterinarians, and our vaccines made in Kabete. How does Bill Gates come into this? This is pure nonsense that should be ignored completely,” Ruto added.
The primary objective of the government’s livestock vaccination program is to eradicate diseases affecting livestock and enhance the agricultural sector’s productivity, contributing to Kenya’s overall economic growth. The president reinforced the importance of the program, highlighting that it will help bolster the country’s agriculture and safeguard farmers’ livelihoods.
Ruto’s defense of the vaccination program aligns with the government’s broader commitment to improving the agricultural sector and ensuring the well-being of Kenya’s livestock industry. Despite the controversy surrounding the initiative, the government continues to push forward with the vaccination drive, focusing on its role in the nation’s economic development.
