Dr. Kinity Challenges Kenya’s New Animal Vaccination Plan: Experiment or Public Health Measure
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Kenya’s new plan to vaccinate 22 million livestock animals, announced by President William Ruto, has stirred a heated debate, with many questioning the plan’s purpose and transparency.
The vaccination project is intended to safeguard livestock health, protect food supplies, and improve Kenya’s market presence abroad.
However, human rights activist Dr. Isaac Newton Kinity has raised serious concerns, alleging that this vaccination initiative may serve as a “peculiar experiment” on Kenyans.
President Ruto has indicated that 22 million animals will be vaccinated.
With a single vaccine dose estimated to cost approximately Ksh 1,000, the total expense could reach Ksh 22 billion.
Dr. Kinity questions the rationale behind spending such a large amount on animal vaccinations, especially when many Kenyans are grappling with the high cost of living.
“Where has President Ruto found this money, while Kenyans continue to struggle daily to put food on the table?” Kinity asks, emphasizing the need for a focus on addressing the country’s immediate economic challenges.
Dr. Kinity also claims that this particular vaccination has not been used anywhere else in the world, including the United States.
This claim has fueled concerns that Kenya might be serving as a testing ground, especially since billionaire philanthropist Bill Gates is reportedly supporting the initiative.
Fears of Foreign Influence and Lack of Public Consultation
Kinity argues that foreign influence is driving the vaccination project, a concern shared by some Kenyans who feel they have been left out of the decision-making process.
He mentions that Bill Gates has a record of funding projects in Kenya, some of which, like genetically modified organisms (GMOs), have been controversial.
Just a few months ago, Kenya introduced GMO foods, which Kinity believes were also influenced by Gates.
He fears that relying on foreign-funded initiatives may undermine Kenya’s sovereignty and food security.
“Why are Kenyans not consulted on these decisions that affect their lives directly?” asks Dr. Kinity, adding that the Constitution grants Kenyans the right to be consulted on such national initiatives.
He stresses that the government should prioritize the voices and welfare of its citizens, especially when it comes to decisions that could impact their health and food supply.
Concerns Over Food Security and Health Risks
The vaccination program, Kinity argues, could ultimately jeopardize food security and raise health risks.
Livestock in Kenya provides a primary source of meat and milk for millions of Kenyans.
Critics worry that introducing a new vaccine on such a large scale could lead to unforeseen consequences for animal health, potentially affecting food sources.
Dr. Kinity goes further to allege that this project might reduce Kenya’s control over its own food production.
He speculates that the vaccination could harm livestock health over time or possibly introduce a virus that might impact human health.
This, he says, might be an effort to reduce Kenya’s population, as some conspiracy theories have claimed about Gates’s other global health projects.
The Government’s Response to Criticism
While the government asserts that the program aims to protect livestock health, officials have not extensively addressed public concerns.
They maintain that safeguarding livestock is essential to stabilize Kenya’s food supply and enhance the country’s agricultural exports.
Yet, critics like Dr. Kinity argue that this does not justify the large expense or the lack of transparency.
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