CS Kagwe defends move to put special tags on livestock
By Nancy Marende, September 23, 2025Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary(CS) Mutahi Kagwe has urged counties to work closely with the national government in repositioning Kenya’s livestock sector as a driver of food security, rural livelihoods, and economic growth.
Speaking during a joint consultative meeting with 24 governors from the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) on September 23, 2025, Kagwe unveiled a livestock sector blueprint that focuses on rangeland restoration, sustainable animal feed production, vaccination programs, animal identification and traceability, and selective breed improvement.
“Our focus is on market-driven production, through disease control, financial access, stronger producer organisations, and structured marketing to tap lucrative markets,” said Kagwe.
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Tagging livestock
The CS underscored that livestock tagging under the government’s ANITRAC programme is critical for compliance with international export standards. He defended the move while brushing off critics opposed to tagging.
“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 emphasised.
He also backed a proposal by Wajir Governor and Council of Governors Chair, FCPA Ahmed Abdullahi, to involve agripreneurs in livestock production, provided they are nationally certified through agricultural colleges.
“I agree with the proposal to certify agripreneurs so that we can professionalise this space. However, this must not be a licence for unethical practices. Agripreneurs must be qualified in technology, soil management, and modern production systems before they are nationally recognised. We are not hiring agripreneurs; we are certifying them,” Kagwe stated.
Governor Abdullahi called for a Livestock Commercialisation Fund to cushion pastoralists against climatic shocks, noting that only 10 per cent of the agriculture budget currently goes to livestock.
He urged Kenya to adopt a Botswana-style approach to strict registration and tagging to enhance disease control and market access.
On his part, Garissa Governor Nathif Jamaa, Chair of the ASAL & DRM Committee, announced that counties will consolidate their proposals into a single livestock sector blueprint for submission to President William Ruto.
Also present were governors 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), alongside several deputy governors, PS Livestock Jonathan Mueke, and county agriculture executives.