Govt rolls out system to track livestock countrywide, DP Kindiki says

NAIROBI, Kenya – The Government has commenced implementing a nationwide system to identify and track livestock, according to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. Each animal will be assigned an identity tied to its owner and monitored from birth to slaughter, the Deputy President announced. This initiative aims to enhance government oversight of animal health, combat livestock theft, and enhance traceability within the livestock supply chain.

In Kenya, there are approximately 22 million cattle, with 8.9 million already vaccinated as part of an ongoing campaign to combat animal diseases. Kindiki emphasized that improved disease control and enhanced tracking of animals will contribute to Kenya's livestock quality and facilitate access to global markets. Additionally, the Government is focusing on reducing the costs associated with livestock production.

For example, the price of sexed semen for artificial insemination of dairy cows has been lowered from Sh8,000 to Sh1,400 per dose, and efforts are underway to decrease the cost of animal feed. Kindiki highlighted the Government's objective to capitalize on these achievements by bolstering animal health, productivity, and market access.

The tracking system also holds the potential to mitigate livestock theft by simplifying animal identification and owner confirmation processes. The Government intends to continue vaccinating livestock while progressively expanding the identification and tracking system across the country.