Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development Mutahi Kagwe has opposed proposals seeking to merge the regulation of human and veterinary medicines, warning that the move would undermine public health, food safety, and international regulatory standards.
Speaking during a visit to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) facility in Loresho, Kagwe said the separation of human and veterinary medicines is a deliberate policy decision grounded in science and global best practices, and should not be reversed through legislation currently before Parliament and the East African Legislative Assembly (EALA).
“Human medicines and veterinary medicines are fundamentally different. Their use, regulation, risks, and impact on food systems are not the same. That is why the separation introduced in 2015 remains valid and non-negotiable,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary cautioned that efforts to collapse veterinary medicines regulation into a human medicines authority, through bills under consideration at both national and regional levels, run counter to Kenya’s obligations under the East African Community (EAC) and COMESA frameworks.
He singled out proposals emerging from mediation processes between the Senate and the National Assembly as particularly concerning.
“Even regionally, EAC and COMESA should uphold the separation of human and animal medicines. We will not allow Kenya to be the weak link,” he added.
Kagwe said the Veterinary Medicines Directorate plays a critical role, especially during the ongoing drought, when livestock disease pressure is high and improper use of medicines can lead to heavy losses for farmers and pastoralists.
He emphasised that weakening the Directorate’s mandate would expose the country to increased risks, including antimicrobial resistance and compromised food safety.
Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke echoed the concerns, noting that veterinary medicines regulation has direct implications for human health through food safety, environmental protection, and the control of antimicrobial resistance.
He said the focus should be on strengthening the VMD rather than diluting its responsibilities.
The Cabinet Secretary also warned county governments against allowing unqualified individuals to dispense veterinary medicines, stressing that a business permit does not amount to professional authorization.
“A county permit is not a professional license. Dispensing veterinary medicines without approval from the Directorate is illegal and will lead to prosecution,” Kagwe said.
He announced plans for structured annual engagement with practitioners at the county level, including conferences, public sensitisation programmes, and improved intergovernmental coordination.
The ministry is also implementing reforms to strengthen the VMD, including recruiting additional staff, rolling out an annual internship programme for 1,500 young professionals, and establishing regional offices.
Further, Kagwe said plans are underway to operationalise the National Veterinary Medicines Quality Control Laboratory to enhance quality assurance, adding that the proposed Veterinary Practice Bill will anchor the Directorate in law and guarantee its institutional stability.
“We will defend the separation of human and veterinary medicines because it protects our farmers, our consumers, and our country,” he said.
