The government has proposed the Animal Identification and Traceability (ANITRAC) Bill 2026, a radical policy proposal intended to reform Kenya’s livestock sector with the help of technology.
The bill currently in the public participation phase will enable farmers to use technology to monitor their animals from birth to slaughter and respond promptly to any disease outbreaks.
The bill borrows from the Branding of Stock Act (Cap 357) which saw farmers use hot branding irons for animal identification.
When addressing a public participation meeting in Baringo, officials from the Ministry of Agriculture noted that the implementation would be overseen by county agriculture officers who will also monitor the system.
The bill focuses on 4 key areas of Digital Identification where animals will be fitted with a unique digital tag holding data, Traceability, Disease Management and Economic Empowerment which will enable farmers to use livestock as collateral for credit and insurance.
Once passed will tackle the spread of animal diseases, improve the quality of livestock and broaden the country’s international animal market.
