Govt reviews livestock policies to fix vet service gaps

The government has begun reviewing key livestock and veterinary policies to tackle persistent challenges affecting animal production, disease control and veterinary service delivery across the country.

The exercise targets Sessional Paper No. 2 of 2020 on Veterinary Policy and Sessional Paper No. 3 of 2020 on Livestock Production Policy. Both are expected to provide a stronger framework for managing animal resources and boosting productivity in the sector.

Paul Njagi, an official from the Directorate of Livestock Production, spoke during a public participation forum in Kisumu. He said the review would identify existing gaps and recommend measures to address obstacles hindering the growth of the livestock industry. Animal breeding, pasture development and fodder availability, he noted, are priority areas. About 70 per cent of Kenya’s livestock population is concentrated in rangeland areas, where inadequate pasture and animal feed continue to undermine production.

In addition, the proposed changes seek to address longstanding weaknesses in veterinary services. These include insufficient funding, poor infrastructure, shortage of personnel and gaps in disease surveillance.

The veterinary policy highlights the funding challenges facing the Directorate of Veterinary Services. Its allocation dropped from Ksh 5.1 billion in the 2016/2017 financial year to Ksh 2.7 billion in 2018/2019, against an estimated annual requirement of Ksh 7.7 billion.

It also raises concerns over the country’s capacity to detect and control animal diseases. About 70 per cent of reported notifiable animal disease cases are based on clinical assessments rather than laboratory confirmation. Foot and Mouth Disease, East Coast Fever, African Swine Fever and avian influenza remain among the threats requiring stronger prevention and control measures.

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Furthermore, the review will address emerging concerns such as antimicrobial resistance, climate change and zoonotic diseases. These pose risks to both animal and human health.

Staffing is another worry. The policy estimates that county governments need an additional 522 veterinarians and 1,816 veterinary paraprofessionals to improve service delivery.

Deputy Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Sabenzia Wekesa said the consultations were part of the government’s constitutional responsibility to involve citizens in shaping policies that affect them. She noted that the Kisumu engagement brought together stakeholders from about 10 counties. Discussions also focused on clarifying the respective roles of national and county governments in managing livestock and veterinary programmes.

Meanwhile, Kisumu County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock Production, Fisheries and Agro-economy Kenneth Anyango urged participants to contribute meaningfully, since their submissions would inform the final policy documents. He emphasised that the policies would guide improvements in animal health, food safety, livestock marketing and certification, particularly for producers seeking access to international markets.

Kenya’s livestock industry remains a major contributor to the economy and household livelihoods, accounting for 4.4 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product in 2024. Its importance is expected to grow as demand for meat and dairy products increases. That places greater pressure on the government to strengthen production systems, veterinary services and market access.

By Lizzy Aluga

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