Mombasa, Kenya — Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, has called on county governments to work closely with the national administration to reposition Kenya’s livestock sector as a cornerstone of food security, rural livelihoods, and national economic growth.
Speaking during a joint consultative forum with 24 Governors from Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) in Mombasa, Kagwe outlined a comprehensive agenda focusing on 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.
The CS emphasized that livestock tagging under the government’s Animal Identification and Traceability (ANITRAC) program is non-negotiable for meeting international export requirements.
“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 remarked.
Kagwe backed a proposal by Council of Governors (CoG) Chair and Wajir Governor, FCPA Ahmed Abdullahi, to integrate agripreneurs into the sector, but cautioned that their involvement must operate under a national certification framework.
“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 underscored the sector’s vulnerability, noting that the pastoral economy “lives and dies with the weather.” He called for the creation of a Livestock Commercialization Fund to cushion pastoralists from climate shocks, criticizing the current allocation of just 3% of national resources to agriculture—of which livestock receives only 10%—as inadequate.
Drawing comparisons with Botswana, Abdullahi urged Kenya to adopt stricter livestock registration and tagging systems to strengthen disease control and unlock new markets.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jamaa, EGH, who chairs the ASAL & DRM Committee, announced that counties will consolidate their priorities into a comprehensive livestock blueprint for submission to the CS and onward presentation to President William Ruto.
Other Governors present included Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta), Simon Kachapin (West Pokot), Joshua Irungu (Laikipia), and Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo).
About The Author
