Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has warned that the misuse of veterinary medicines is becoming a major obstacle to Kenya's livestock sector, putting public health at risk while threatening the country's ambitions to expand meat exports to international markets.
Speaking during the opening of the Kenya Meat Conference 2026 in Nyeri on Wednesday, Kagwe said antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has grown beyond a veterinary issue into a national challenge with far-reaching effects on human health, food safety, the economy and the livestock industry.
He cautioned that countries that fail to meet international standards on the use of veterinary medicines and control of antimicrobial residues risk losing access to premium export destinations, warning that Kenya cannot afford to fall behind.
"Responsible use of veterinary medicines is becoming a passport to international markets," Kagwe said.
He said failure to comply with global food safety requirements could undo years of work and negotiations aimed at opening new export opportunities for Kenyan meat products.
According to Kagwe, antimicrobial resistance is linked to about 5.5 million deaths globally every year, with Kenya among the countries affected by the growing problem.
To tackle the challenge, the government is strengthening regulation of veterinary medicines by reinforcing the Kenya Veterinary Board and the Veterinary Medicines Directorate to ensure the drugs remain under the supervision of licensed professionals.
He said the measures are part of wider reforms in the livestock sector aimed at improving animal health, enhancing food safety standards and making Kenyan livestock products more competitive in global markets.
Kagwe also highlighted the ongoing National Livestock Vaccination Programme and increased investment in the Kenya Veterinary Vaccines Production Institute (KEVEVAPI), saying the expansion is expected to raise annual vaccine production from 45 million doses to more than 70 million.
The government is also implementing the Livestock Identification and Traceability System (LITS) together with the Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC) to improve livestock tracking from farms to markets.
"Modern consumers demand traceability, food safety and transparency," Kagwe said, adding that these have become essential requirements for international trade.
The Cabinet Secretary also raised concern over the continued illegal slaughter of donkeys despite the 2020 ban on commercial donkey slaughter, describing the practice as a threat to food safety, public health and Kenya's efforts to grow its meat exports.
He said more than 700 donkeys are reportedly slaughtered illegally every month and directed his ministry to strengthen policies and enforcement measures to curb the illegal trade.
Kagwe further called for increased investment in value addition through modern meat processing, branding and certification to improve returns from the livestock sector.
He said the government is working with county governments and private investors to modernise abattoirs and expand export-ready meat processing facilities.
The government is targeting an increase in livestock's contribution to Kenya's Gross Domestic Product from 12 per cent to 20 per cent while raising annual meat production to about 990,000 metric tonnes by 2028, generating an estimated Sh450 billion each year.
Kagwe urged closer collaboration between the national government, counties, researchers, financial institutions and private investors to position Kenya as Africa's leading exporter of safe, traceable and high-quality meat products.
The two-day Kenya Meat Conference has brought together players across the livestock value chain to discuss ways of expanding Kenya's meat industry and creating more opportunities in international markets.