Kenyan government opposes bill to merge human and veterinary medicines

KENYA – Kenya Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has strongly opposed a proposal to merge the regulation of human and veterinary medicines, warning it would pose a risk to public health, food safety, and livestock production.

Early this year, a bill was tabled in parliament and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) to merge the two disciplines.

Speaking at the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) in Nairobi on January 20, 2026, Kagwe criticized the plan, noting that the separation of the two systems has been in place since 2015.  

He argued that merging the regulations would undermine science-based safeguards, weaken food safety, and risk Kenya’s compliance with international trade rules.  

“We have made it clear that it is important that the two be separated.” Kagwe said. “They were separated before 2015.There is a mischief that was addressed when they were separated. And that is the framework on which we want to exist.”

Global Standards Support Separation 

Kagwe emphasized that international best practice is to keep human and veterinary medicines regulated separately. Organizations such as the East African Community (EAC), and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) all follow this standard.  

In a statement posted on Facebook, the ministry reaffirmed “Separation of human and veterinary medicines aligns with global regulatory standards under the East African Community and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and should not be reversed through legislation.”

Livestock diseases and human risk

Kenya already faces challenges from livestock diseases that strain farmers and public health. Experts warn that merging veterinary and human medicine regulations could worsen zoonotic outbreaks, intensify the impact of drought, and undermine food security and trade. 

“Veterinary medicines regulation directly affects human health through food safety, antimicrobial resistance and environmental protection,” said Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke in the same event.

Ministry’s Assurance  

The ministry assured farmers and consumers that it will take measures to block the proposal. Plans include strengthening the VDM through reforms and operationalizing the National Veterinary Medicines Quality Control Laboratory.  

The Cabinet Secretary has also urged county governments to work closely with the VMD. He warned that a business licence does not qualify anyone to dispense veterinary medicines. 

At the same time, the Ministry is rolling out reforms to strengthen the VMD. These include hiring more staff, introducing an annual internship programme for 2,000 young professionals, and establishing regional offices to improve regulatory oversight.

Oversight and drivers of change 

Before 2015, veterinary medicines in Kenya were overseen primarily by the Directorate of Veterinary Services (DVS), while human medicines were regulated separately by the Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB). This fragmented system meant veterinary drugs lacked a dedicated authority with specialized focus, leaving oversight weaker compared to human pharmaceuticals. 

The lack of a strong regulatory framework led to widespread challenges. These gaps undermined livestock health, food safety, and regional trade competitiveness. Growing concerns about antimicrobial resistance and pressure from regional harmonization initiatives (EAC and COMESA) pushed Kenya to strengthen veterinary oversight.

This lead to the establishment of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) in 2015, creating a dedicated regulator to professionalize and secure the veterinary medicine

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