ASAL Governors Urged to Align with National Plan to Transform Livestock Sector

In Summary

• Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe urges ASAL governors to align with national efforts to transform Kenya’s livestock sector.
• Priority interventions: rangeland restoration, sustainable feed supply, livestock vaccination, traceability systems, and breed improvement.
• Livestock economy positioned as a driver of food security, rural livelihoods, and economic growth.
• ASAL counties host 70% of Kenya’s livestock population but face climate, infrastructure, and veterinary challenges.
• Governors call for coordinated investments, value addition facilities, and stronger disease control to access export markets.
• A comprehensive livestock blueprint will be consolidated by ASAL counties for submission to the President.

Governors from Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) have been called upon to join forces with the national government in repositioning the livestock sector as a key driver of food security, rural livelihoods, and economic growth.

Speaking during a livestock sector review meeting in Mombasa, Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe outlined a raft of measures aimed at rejuvenating the sector.

These include rangeland restoration, sustainable feed systems, routine vaccination, livestock identification and traceability, and a targeted breed improvement programme.

“The ministry’s policy is that the entire production process must be market-driven,” Kagwe said, adding that disease control, organized marketing, stronger producer organizations, and access to finance will open the door to lucrative livestock markets.

Through the Agricultural Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy (ASTGS) 2019–2029, the ministry seeks to raise smallholder incomes, boost output, drive value addition, and accelerate digitization.

The government is also updating livestock data through the Kenya Livestock Master Plan and Kenya Integrated Agricultural Management Information System to improve planning and investments.

ASAL counties, which host over 70 percent of Kenya’s livestock population, remain central to the sector’s future.

However, they face challenges ranging from degraded rangelands and climate shocks to gaps in infrastructure, water supply, and veterinary services.

Council of Governors Chairman and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi stressed the need for coordinated investments, warning against fragmented efforts by multiple actors.

“We must stop mini-investments that duplicate efforts. Counties should anchor interventions in their County Integrated Development Plans,” he said.

Abdullahi pointed to infrastructure such as the Isiolo abattoir and Wajir and Garissa transport hubs as strategic assets that need to be fully operational and linked to global supply chains.

He also emphasized harmonized veterinary services and a functional national animal traceability system like ANITRAC to unlock premium export markets.

Garissa Governor Nathif Jama, who chairs the ASAL and Disaster Risk Management Committee, confirmed that counties will consolidate their priorities into a comprehensive livestock blueprint to be presented to the CS and forwarded to the President.

The meeting also drew participation from Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Mombasa’s Abdulswamad Nassir, Tharaka Nithi’s Muthomi Njuki, Taita Taveta’s Andrew Mwadime, West Pokot’s Simon Kachapin, Laikipia’s Joshua Irungu, and Baringo’s Benjamin Cheboi.

Deputy governors from Meru, Makueni, Tana River, Embu, and Lamu also attended, alongside Principal Secretary for Livestock Jonathan Mueke and Council of Governors officials.