Kenya Moves to Expand Livestock Exports Through New Commercial Strategy

Kenya is strengthening plans to develop livestock farming into a more organised export industry, with the government focusing on water, financing, breeding, traceability and access to international markets.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe discussed the plans with ranchers in Taita-Taveta County on September 23, as the government worked to improve the county’s livestock production and supply chain.

The Bachuma National Livestock Quarantine Centre is central to the strategy. The facility is being commercialised through a partnership with Blue Mountain and is expected to provide quarantine, inspection and certification services for livestock meant for export.

The government says the centre could support access to major markets, with officials citing potential demand for up to 100,000 cattle annually and a reported KSh2 billion order for goats and sheep from South African buyers.

The government is also proposing County Livestock Investment Companies across 23 arid and semi-arid counties. Under the model, each county would target 15,000 farmers, with KSh10,000 shares funded jointly by the government and farmers.

Officials also identified the Animal Identification and Traceability system, ANITRAC, as important for tracking livestock health, vaccination and origin. In Taita-Taveta, authorities will also work with ranchers to identify sites for water pans and other infrastructure to support livestock production.