Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe has launched the Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC) drive in Isiolo County, as the Government moves to strengthen livestock security and improve access to domestic and international markets.
Speaking during a tour of Isiolo, Kagwe said livestock traceability would help secure animals while enabling farmers to meet increasingly stringent market requirements.
The CS issued a stern warning to cattle rustlers, telling them to “find another business” as the identification system will make it easier to trace animals and harder for stolen livestock to enter legitimate markets.
Kagwe said livestock markets will progressively require animals to be properly identified, urging security agencies to take action against suspected stock thieves.
He also raised concern over cases where animals are found with deliberately mutilated ears, allegedly in attempts to remove ANITRAC tags and conceal their identity.
Beyond addressing livestock theft, Kagwe said the system will provide verifiable information on the origin, movement and health status of animals. This, he noted, will strengthen food safety standards and enhance the credibility of Kenyan livestock products in premium markets.
The CS said traceability, combined with vaccination, structured livestock aggregation and modern processing facilities such as the Isiolo Export Abattoir, will help livestock keepers meet market specifications.
He added that the measures would enable farmers to access higher-value markets and secure better returns from their animals, while strengthening Kenya’s livestock value chain and export competitiveness.
