Vets protest alleged state harassment of agrovets

A vet in a poultry farm. [Courtesy]

The Kenya Veterinary Paraprofessional Association (KVPA) has criticised the Veterinary Medicine Directorate (VMD) for allegedly harassing its members.

KVPA said the directorate should focus on its mandate of ensuring only competent veterinary products are available in the market instead of engaging in unnecessary harassment.

The association issued a two-week ultimatum to VMD to stop harassment of agrovets and private practitioners failure to which they will down tools.

The association's national chairman John Ngigi, said agrovets were incurring losses running into millions of shillings due to the harassment.

"We have hundreds of quacks who are operating freely but this government agency is targeting licensed traders and this exercise will affect food production," he said.

Flanked by members of the association, he said that the action by the directorate was unprofessional and would have adverse effects on the agriculture sector.

"It should be clear that no law gives the Veterinary Medicine Directorate a wholesome mandate when it comes to the operation of agrovets," he said.

They claimed the directorate has been arresting its registered members since May.

The association which has more than 12,000 members warned that the strike would see all agrovets in the country close and agricultural activities paralysed.

Addressing the Press in Naivasha, senior officials of the association noted that more than 100 agrovets had been closed across the country due to harassment by the government agency.

He further warned that the delay and failure in drug registration by the directorate was endangering the livestock industry which currently was facing an acute shortage of veterinary surgeons.

A member of the association Dr Issac Mwangi further said that the directorate's actions would kill the government-owned Animal Health and Industry Training Institutes (AHITI).

"The Directorate is purporting that the AHITI graduates are not competent to handle antibiotics yet they have been undertaking livestock extension services in all parts of the country," he said.

Eunice Muthoni said that there was no law that allowed the government officers to close professional agrovets as they had licenses from other regulatory entities including county business permits.

"Veterinary Medicine Directorate must learn from the Kenya Veterinary Board on how to professionally undertake inspection devoid of harassment and abuse of professionals," she said.