Antimicrobial resistance puts Kenya’s livestock feed practices under scrutiny

KENYA – Kenya has warned that the misuse of veterinary medicines and the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) could undermine the country’s livestock industry by restricting access to premium international meat markets, as the government intensifies efforts to strengthen food safety, animal health and traceability systems.

Speaking at the Kenya Meat Conference 2026 in Nyeri, Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe said antimicrobial resistance has evolved beyond a veterinary concern into a major economic, public health and food security challenge.

“Responsible use of veterinary medicines is becoming a passport to international markets,” Kagwe said, warning that failure to comply with international standards on antimicrobial residues could reverse years of negotiations to secure export market access.

He noted that antimicrobial resistance is linked to an estimated 5.5 million deaths globally each year, underscoring the need for stricter regulation of veterinary medicines throughout the livestock value chain.

To improve compliance, the government is strengthening the Kenya Veterinary Board and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to ensure veterinary drugs are prescribed and administered only under the supervision of licensed professionals.

Kenya strengthens livestock health and traceability systems

Kagwe said antimicrobial stewardship forms part of broader livestock sector reforms aimed at improving disease control, food safety and export competitiveness.

These include the National Livestock Vaccination Programme, increased investment in the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI) to raise annual vaccine production from 45 million to more than 70 million doses, and the rollout of the Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS) alongside the Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC).

He said modern export markets increasingly demand traceability, transparency and verified food safety, making robust animal identification and disease management systems essential for international trade.

The Cabinet Secretary also condemned the continued illegal slaughter of donkeys despite Kenya’s 2020 ban on commercial donkey slaughter, describing the practice as a threat to food safety, public health and the country’s export ambitions.

According to Kagwe, more than 700 donkeys are still illegally slaughtered every month, prompting the ministry to strengthen enforcement measures.

Beyond disease control, the government is encouraging greater investment in meat processing, branding and certification to increase the value of livestock products.

Kagwe said the government is working with county governments and private investors to modernise abattoirs and expand export-ready processing facilities.

These initiatives support Kenya’s broader livestock development strategy, which aims to increase the sector’s contribution to national GDP from 12% to 20% and raise annual meat production to approximately 990,000 metric tonnes by 2028.

The government estimates the livestock industry could generate about US$3.5 billion (KSh450 billion) annually once these targets are achieved.

The two-day Kenya Meat Conference brought together government officials, livestock producers, processors, researchers, financial institutions, and private-sector stakeholders to discuss strategies to improve productivity, strengthen food safety standards, and expand Kenya’s presence in global meat markets.

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