Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has cautioned that antimicrobial resistance could prevent Kenya from achieving its livestock export targets unless addressed urgently.
Speaking at the Kenya Meat Conference 2026 in Nyeri on July 8, Kagwe outlined plans to raise livestock's share of gross domestic product from 12 per cent to 20 per cent and nearly double annual meat production to 990,000 metric tonnes by 2028.
He said failure to meet international standards on veterinary practices could close markets and damage the country's reputation. Kagwe announced steps including stronger oversight by the Kenya Veterinary Board and Veterinary Medicines Directorate, plus expanded vaccine output at the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute from 45 million to over 70 million doses.
The government is also rolling out the Livestock Identification and Traceability System and the Animal Identification and Traceability System to track animals from farm to slaughterhouse.