Agriculture and Livestock Development CS Mutahi Kagwe speaking on September 23, 2025 / HANDOUTAgriculture and Livestock Development CS Mutahi Kagwe has called on counties to partner with the national government in transforming Kenya’s livestock sector into a pillar of food security, rural livelihoods, and economic growth.
CS Kagwe outlined priorities including rangeland restoration, sustainable animal feeds, livestock vaccination, animal identification and traceability, and targeted breed improvement.
“Our focus is on market-driven production through disease control, financial access, stronger producer organizations, and structured marketing to tap lucrative markets,” Kagwe said.
He said that livestock tagging under the government’s ANITRAC program is essential for export market compliance.
“It’s not witchcraft when we tag our animals; it is to your benefit that we must do it, so we can satisfy the export market,” he stated.
The CS also supported a proposal by Council of Governors Chair and Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi for counties to engage agripreneurs, but only under a national certification framework to be anchored in agricultural colleges.
“I agree with the proposal to certify agripreneurs so that we can professionalize this space. However, this must not be a license for unethical practices. Agripreneurs must be qualified in technology, soil management, and modern production systems before they are nationally recognized. We are not hiring agripreneurs; we are certifying them,” Kagwe said.
CS Kagwe spoke on Tuesday during a joint consultative meeting with 24 ASAL governors.
Governor Abdullahi cautioned that the pastoral economy “lives and dies with the weather” and pressed for a Livestock Commercialization Fund to cushion pastoralists nationwide.
He noted that allocating just 3 per cent of resources to agriculture of which livestock receives only 10 per cent is inadequate.
Citing Botswana’s example, he urged Kenya to adopt strict livestock registration and tagging systems that underpin disease control and enhance market access.
Garissa Governor Nathif Jamaa chair of the ASAL and DRM Committee, said counties would consolidate their priorities into a comprehensive livestock blueprint to be presented to the CS for onward submission to the President.
Other Governors present included Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Abdulswamad Nassir (Mombasa), Muthomi Njuki (Tharaka Nithi), Andrew Mwadime (Taita Taveta), Simon Kachapin (West Pokot), Joshua Irungu (Laikipia), and Benjamin Cheboi (Baringo).
Deputy Governors in attendance were Linda Kiome (Meru), Lucy Mulili (Makueni), Salim Batuyu (Tana River), Kinyua Mugo (Embu), and Raphael Munyua (Lamu), alongside PS Livestock Jonathan Mueke, Council of Governors officials, and County Agriculture Executives from 24 counties.
