The government has intensified the nationwide rollout of the Animal Identification and Traceability (ANITRAC) system as part of efforts to modernise Kenya’s livestock sector, improve disease surveillance and unlock access to lucrative international export markets.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe led a livestock sensitisation and animal tagging exercise in Kurawa, Tana River County, days after officially launching the programme in Nyeri.
The exercise brought together livestock farmers, local leaders, Tana River Senator Danson Mungatana and officials from the Directorate of Veterinary Services to educate communities on the importance of registering livestock under the digital identification system.
Digital identity for every animal
Kagwe said ANITRAC represents a major shift in livestock management by assigning every registered animal a unique digital identity that enables full traceability from the farm to the market.
According to the Cabinet Secretary, the programme is designed to enhance Kenya’s competitiveness in the global livestock industry by meeting international traceability requirements.
He said buyers in key export markets increasingly require proof of an animal’s origin, movement history and health status before approving meat and livestock products for import.
Kagwe urged farmers to embrace the registration exercise, noting that Kenya’s ambition to expand exports to Europe, the Middle East and other global markets depends on the country’s ability to demonstrate credible livestock traceability systems.
Strengthening Kenya’s livestock sector
The Cabinet Secretary noted that Kenya has an estimated 77 million livestock, making the sector one of the country’s most important economic pillars.
He said livestock contributes about 12 per cent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product and nearly 40 per cent of the agricultural GDP while supporting millions of livelihoods, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.
Kagwe said the ANITRAC programme will strengthen disease surveillance, improve animal health management, reduce livestock theft, enhance food safety and increase the value of Kenyan livestock products in both domestic and export markets.
He added that stronger traceability will also boost consumer confidence and position Kenya as a reliable supplier of quality livestock products.
Local manufacturing to create jobs
Kagwe revealed that the electronic identification chips and ear tags used under the ANITRAC programme are being manufactured locally, creating employment opportunities while supporting Kenya’s growing manufacturing sector.
He said local production demonstrates the country’s capacity to develop world-class agricultural technologies and reduce dependence on imported equipment.
The Cabinet Secretary also highlighted the government’s investment in the Kenya Leather Industrial Parks, saying the facilities will help the country export value-added leather products instead of raw hides and skins.
Driving commercial livestock farming
Kagwe said the government’s long-term goal is to transform livestock keeping from a traditional livelihood into a commercially driven industry capable of creating wealth and supporting industrial growth.
He said the nationwide rollout of ANITRAC will continue across all counties as the government accelerates livestock registration, strengthens animal health systems and lays the foundation for expanded export opportunities, higher farmer incomes and a more resilient livestock sector.
