Governors from Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASAL) counties have called for urgent action to address chronic underfunding in the livestock sector, emphasising its critical role in the nation’s economy, food security, and pastoral resilience.
The demand was made during a high-level consultative meeting convened by the Council of Governors (CoG) ASAL and Disaster Risk Management (DRM) Committee, led by CoG Chair H.E. Ahmed Abdullahi EGH, in the presence of Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development, Mutahi Kagwe.
The forum, attended by 24 Governors, Deputy Governors, County Agriculture Executives, the Principal Secretary for Livestock Development, and CoG officials, underscored the need for transformative investment in the livestock sector.
Governor Abdullahi highlighted the sector’s vulnerability to climate shocks, stating,
“The pastoral economy is at the mercy of climate shocks, and without a Livestock Commercialisation Fund, our pastoralists remain exposed.”
He pointed out that agriculture receives only 3% of Kenya’s national budget, with livestock allocated a mere 10% of that share, describing it as “far below what is required to unlock its potential.”
Drawing inspiration from Botswana, Governor Abdullahi urged Kenya to implement strict livestock registration and tagging systems to improve disease control and expand market access.
“Botswana’s success in livestock management shows us the way forward. We must adopt similar measures to strengthen our sector,” he said.
Cabinet Secretary Kagwe pledged government support for key initiatives, including rangeland restoration, sustainable feed production, vaccination programs, livestock identification and traceability, and breed improvement.
He also endorsed professionalising agripreneurship through a national certification framework, signalling a commitment to modernising the sector.
“These steps will ensure our livestock industry is not only sustainable but also globally competitive,” Kagwe noted.
The meeting marked a unified push by ASAL counties to reshape Kenya’s livestock economy.
The presence of high-level stakeholders underscored a county-driven commitment to addressing the sector's longstanding challenges.
With livestock forming a cornerstone of livelihoods in ASAL regions, the governors’ call for increased funding and strategic reforms aims to unlock its potential as a driver of economic growth and resilience against climate challenges.
As discussions concluded, the CoG reiterated its dedication to working with the national government and stakeholders to implement the proposed measures.