The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
The Kiambu County Government has rejected claims that its piglet distribution programme is connected to the outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF).
In a statement issued on Saturday, the county said the initiative has maintained a strong focus on animal health while supporting farmers across Kiambu.
The programme, spearheaded by Governor Kimani Wamatangi, is being implemented in partnership with the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO), a government agricultural research institution.
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The county explained that all piglets distributed through the initiative are obtained from KALRO to ensure farmers receive breeding stock from an institution that follows established animal health and breeding standards.
It argued that linking the programme to ASF would effectively imply that KALRO had been breeding and distributing infected piglets, a claim the county strongly rejected.
The response followed allegations associating the county’s piglet distribution initiative with cases of African Swine Fever, a viral livestock disease that affects domestic and wild pigs in several African countries.
Kiambu maintained that ASF is a national animal health concern and is not confined to the county. It described claims connecting the disease to its piglet programme as false and misleading, saying they failed to take into account the measures used to source the animals.
The county warned that the allegations could cause unnecessary anxiety among residents and farmers benefiting from the programme, many of whom depend on pig farming as a source of income.
According to the county government, the initiative has so far reached more than 70,000 men and young people across Kiambu, enabling households to establish commercial pig farming ventures.
The county said the programme has helped beneficiaries develop pig enterprises and improve their household incomes and livelihoods.
It described the initiative as one of its key economic empowerment programmes, noting that its impact can be seen among farmers engaged in commercial pig production throughout the county.
The county government also accused unnamed individuals of politicising the ASF issue in an effort to discredit the programme and undermine its economic benefits.
It maintained that such criticism would not erase what it considers the programme’s achievements or its contribution to the livelihoods of thousands of families.
Kiambu further reiterated that the piglets distributed under the initiative are sourced from KALRO, which it described as a credible national institution with established standards.
Residents and beneficiaries were urged to consider the programme’s sourcing arrangements when evaluating allegations linking the initiative to African Swine Fever.
ASF is a viral disease that affects domestic and wild pigs. While it does not infect humans, outbreaks can result in serious economic losses for pig farmers.
