The Government has intensified the nationwide rollout of the Animal Identification and Traceability (ANITRAC) system, with Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe leading a livestock sensitisation and tagging exercise in Kurawa, Tana River County, following last week’s national launch of the programme in Nyeri.
Accompanied by Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana and officials from the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), Kagwe engaged livestock farmers and local leaders on the role ANITRAC is expected to play in transforming Kenya’s livestock sector into a globally competitive industry.
The CS described ANITRAC as more than a livestock tagging exercise, saying it is the foundation of a modern livestock economy where every registered animal is assigned a unique digital identity, enabling full traceability from farm to market.
He noted that access to international meat markets increasingly depends on traceability, with buyers demanding verifiable records of an animal’s origin, movement history and health status before livestock products can qualify for premium export markets.
Kagwe urged farmers to fully participate in the ongoing registration exercise, saying the Government is positioning Kenya to access lucrative markets in Europe, the Middle East and other international destinations. He stressed that success will depend on the country’s ability to demonstrate a credible livestock identification and traceability system that meets global standards.
The CS said Kenya has an estimated 77 million livestock, making the sector one of the country’s most important economic pillars. Livestock contributes about 12 per cent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and approximately 40 per cent of the agricultural GDP, while supporting the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans, particularly in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).
He said the ANITRAC system will strengthen disease surveillance and control, curb livestock theft, improve food safety, enhance consumer confidence and increase the value of Kenyan livestock and livestock products in both domestic and international markets.
Kagwe further revealed that the programme’s ear tags and electronic identification chips are manufactured locally, creating jobs, supporting local industries and showcasing Kenya’s growing capacity to produce world-class agricultural technologies.
He also highlighted the Government’s investment in the newly established Kenya Leather Industrial Parks, saying the facilities will enable the country to export value-added leather products instead of raw hides and skins.
According to the CS, integrating a reliable livestock traceability system with local processing and manufacturing will create more employment opportunities, strengthen domestic industries and ensure farmers earn greater value from their livestock.
Kagwe said the Government’s long-term vision is to transform livestock farming from a traditional livelihood into a modern commercial enterprise that generates wealth, drives industrialisation and positions Kenya as a trusted supplier of safe, traceable and high-quality livestock products.
The nationwide rollout of ANITRAC will continue across all counties as the Government accelerates livestock registration, strengthens animal health systems and lays the groundwork for expanded market access, higher farmer incomes and a more resilient livestock sector.
