Counties are being urged to partner with the national government in transforming Kenya’s livestock sector into a pillar of food security, rural livelihoods, and economic growth.
Speaking during a joint consultative meeting with governors from 24 Arid and Semi Arid Lands (ASAL), Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said priorities including rangeland restoration, sustainable animal feeds, livestock vaccination, animal identification and traceability, and targeted breed improvement.
“Our focus is on market-driven production through disease control, financial access, stronger producer organizations, and structured marketing to tap lucrative markets,” said Kagwe.
He emphasized that livestock tagging under the government’s ANITRAC program is essential for export market compliance.
“It’s not witchcraft when we tag our animals; it is to your benefit that we must do it, so we can satisfy the export market,” he stated.
Kagwe also supported a proposal by Council of Governors Chair and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi for counties to engage agripreneurs, but only under a national certification framework to be anchored in agricultural colleges.
“I agree with the proposal to certify agripreneurs so that we can professionalize this space. However, this must not be a license for unethical practices. Agripreneurs must be qualified in technology, soil management, and modern production systems before they are nationally recognized. We are not hiring agripreneurs; we are certifying them,” Kagwe stressed.
Governor Abdullahi cautioned that the pastoral economy “lives and dies with the weather” and pressed for a Livestock Commercialization Fund to cushion pastoralists nationwide. He noted that allocating just 3pc of resources to agriculture, of which livestock receives only 10pc which is inadequate.
Citing Botswana’s example, he urged Kenya to adopt strict livestock registration and tagging systems that underpin disease control and enhance market access.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jamaa who also serves as chair of the ASAL & DRM Committee, said counties would consolidate their priorities into a comprehensive livestock blueprint to be presented to the CS for onward submission to the President.
