The government has announced that it is putting extra effort to fully exploit the livestock sub-sector to the benefits of the over 10 million livestock keepers in the country in acknowledgement of the critical role it plays in the economy.
Additionally, the Government has earmarked 2025 as the year of the beginning of greater reforms to propel the sub-sector to higher levels which contributes over 12 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and about 50 percent of the agricultural GDP.
In addition, the livestock sub-sector also employs 50 percent of agricultural labor and supports over 60 percent Kenyan households.
While noting the rising threat of livestock diseases to the sub-sector, the Government Spokesperson Dr. Isaac Mwaura revealed that there is a Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Kakamega, West Pokot and Trans Nzoia Counties.
He reported that the outbreak in Trans Nzoia was reported in November 2024 in Cherangany, Kwanza, Kiminini, Saboti and Endebess Sub-Counties upon which samples were taken and submitted to the National FMD Referral Laboratory for analysis where type O serotype was isolated.
According to the Government Spokesperson, the outbreak was later reported in Chepararia area of West Pokot County in January 2025 whilst the reported cases in Kakamega were in Shinyalu and Malava Sub-Counties where the latter outbreak was diagnosed clinically and is awaiting laboratory confirmation.
As a result, Dr. Mwaura disclosed that the government has invoked control measures as stipulated in the Animal Diseases Control Act (Cap 364) in order to control and manage the outbreaks.
“A quarantine has consequently been imposed on the movement of the animals in the affected areas to prevent further spread of the disease. Additionally, Shinyalu and Lubao livestock markets in Kakamega County, Chepareria livestock market in West Pokot County and Sikhendu and Sibanga livestock markets in Trans Nzoia County have been closed indefinitely,” he announced, adding that Ring vaccination is being carried out in these areas ahead of the national vaccination exercise.
Speaking during a media briefing in Nairobi, Dr. Mwaura mentioned that in Kakamega County, 2,500 heads of cattle, 200 sheep and goats and 19 pigs have been vaccinated while the veterinary department in Trans Nzoia County has received 4, 000 doses of the FMD vaccines and plans to roll out the vaccination in due course even as farmers are being encouraged to also continue vaccinating their flocks privately.
According to the Spokesperson, FMD is a highly contagious viral infection causing substantial losses in milk production, reproduction, and growth, while Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) affects sheep and goats, with infection rates running up to 90 percent with mortality rates of up to 70 percent.
He stressed that the perennial livestock disease outbreaks in the country is a major setback to the livestock sub – sector as it threatens not only the health of millions of animals but also the livelihoods of farmers and the broader economy and to avert this, the Government is in the final stages of rolling out a national livestock vaccination program.
“This programme is essential considering that recurrent outbreaks of diseases such as FMD, lumpy skin disease, pneumonia, and anthrax have hindered farmers from fully exploiting the lucrative European and Middle East export markets,” remarked Dr. Mwaura.
He at the same time noted that strict health regulations and safety concerns have kept Kenyan livestock products from reaching their potential in these markets and therefore the country must attain better standards if the recently signed trade agreements for livestock products have to hold.
The Government Spokesperson lamented that these concerns have created bottlenecks, stifling the country’s growth and the sector’s ability to unlock its economic promise.
“FMD and PPR are classified as ‘trade-sensitive’ trans-boundary animal diseases by the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), therefore, the level of Kenya’s prevention and control status of these diseases determines if Kenya’s livestock and livestock products can access international markets,” he reiterated.
Dr. Mwaura re-affirmed that vaccination is the most effective measure to prevent and control FMD and PPR diseases, ensuring healthy livestock while safeguarding livelihoods thus, the government is rolling out a nationwide immunization exercise targeting 22 million cattle against FMD and 50 million sheep and goats against PPR, an initiative aimed to open up lucrative export markets while ensuring food security, economic stability, and enhanced farmer earnings.
“The government reiterates that the National Livestock Vaccination Programme is voluntary hence no farmer will be forced to have their flock vaccinated,” he assured, insisting that the vaccines to be used for this programme are locally manufactured by the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), ensuring high safety and efficacy standards.
To further address challenges in the livestock sector, Dr. Mwaura announced that the government has introduced a livestock insurance policy to protect farmers from losses during droughts and calamities.
According to the Spokesperson, measures have also been put in place to stimulate commercial feed production, addressing the current annual feed deficit of 60 percent (33 million metric tons) and reducing the 40 percent post-harvest feed losses.
In addition to these interventions, he pointed out that the government is also developing an Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC) to further advance this sector.
Dr. Mwaura explained that this system would improve market access for livestock and livestock products as well as enabling producers to access credit and insurance using identified livestock as collateral and curb livestock theft and illegal movement.
By Michael Omondi