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Why Bill Gates is being dragged into a row over vaccinating cows in Kenya

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Government aims to vaccinate at least 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep over three years .

Opposition politicians say vaccines will alter the genetic make-up of livestock, potentially resulting in defective animals.

Government says it is footing the bill for the vaccines and wants to make Kenya 's livestock products eligible for export.

Opponents say Bill Gates is funding the programme, but government denies this.

When Ruto first announced it, details were scant - and it was not clear what the animals would be vaccinated against.

This is when tools that monitor social media posts on X show there was a clear spike in mentions of both Gates and cows by accounts with their location listed as Kenya .

The Kenya Veterinary Association has called on the government to halt the vaccination exercise and conduct a public awareness campaign first .

Agriculture Minister Mutahi Kagwe has sought to reassure everyone that the exercise will be voluntary.