Every cow, sheep and goat in Kenya will be required to carry an Animal Identification and Traceability (ANITRAC) tag as the Government moves to strengthen livestock security, disease surveillance and food safety.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe said the nationwide animal identification system will give every animal a unique and traceable identity, making it harder for stolen livestock to be transported, sold or introduced into markets undetected.
Under the system, cattle will carry distinctive yellow ANITRAC ear tags. The Government says the technology will also help track animals along the livestock value chain, improve disease control and strengthen Kenya’s ability to meet international requirements for livestock and animal products.
ANITRAC tags to help fight cattle rustling
CS Kagwe warned livestock rustlers against attempting to remove the identification tags by cutting animals’ ears.
He said security agencies should take action against individuals found in possession of animals whose ears have been deliberately cut, particularly where there is no clear explanation for the missing identification.
“Every cow will have a yellow ANITRAC tag. If you are found with cattle without the tag, you must explain to the police. If somebody has cattle whose ears have been cut off, the police should arrest that person,” Kagwe said.
The system is expected to improve livestock traceability from farms to markets while giving authorities better information when investigating cases of livestock theft.
Beyond security, animal identification is also important in managing outbreaks of livestock diseases. Authorities can use traceability information to identify the origin and movement of animals, potentially allowing faster responses when disease is detected.
The rollout comes as the Government continues with its national livestock vaccination programme. More than 20 million cattle, sheep and goats have already been vaccinated across the country as Kenya seeks to improve animal health and strengthen its livestock export potential.
Government targets higher returns for avocado and macadamia farmers
Speaking during the official opening of the Central Kenya National Show 2026 in Nyeri, Kagwe also outlined measures aimed at improving returns for avocado and macadamia farmers.
The Government plans to strengthen access to quality planting materials, extension services, aggregation, certification and markets.
Kagwe warned farmers against harvesting and selling immature avocado and macadamia, saying poor-quality produce can damage Kenya’s reputation in international markets and ultimately reduce farmers’ earnings.
International buyers increasingly demand mature, consistent and traceable agricultural products. The Government therefore intends to strengthen aggregation and certification while encouraging more local processing.
The move is expected to create opportunities for counties producing avocado and macadamia by retaining more value, jobs and income within local economies.
“A farmer who sells a quality product into a well-organised market should earn more than a farmer who is forced to sell early to a middleman,” Kagwe said.
Tea sector to benefit from new levy
The CS also addressed reforms in the tea sector, saying the Tea Levy Regulations, 2026, which came into operation on May 1, provide for a 0.8 per cent levy on tea exports.
According to Kagwe, the proceeds will support tea infrastructure, including feeder roads and buying centres, while also helping protect Kenyan tea from unfair competition.
The Government is also seeking to encourage greater value addition in the tea industry.
Instead of relying heavily on bulk tea exports, Kenya wants to increase opportunities in branding, packaging, blending and other value-added activities.
Kagwe said farmers should see tangible benefits from the reforms through better infrastructure, more efficient buying centres, stronger markets and improved returns.
Coffee reforms enter operational stage
In the coffee sector, Kagwe said implementation of the Coffee Act, 2026 has moved into the operational stage following the establishment of the Coffee Board of Kenya and the Coffee Research and Training Institute.
President William Ruto appointed Henry Gichuhi Kinyua as Non-Executive Chairperson of the Coffee Board on September 4.
The Ministry is also finalising the gazettement of the Council and Chairperson of the Coffee Research and Training Institute.
Kagwe said the reforms must translate into practical benefits for coffee farmers through transparent systems, quality planting materials, reliable research and extension services, stronger cooperatives and improved access to high-value markets.
Dairy farmers to get support on feeds and genetics
Dairy farmers are also set to benefit from measures targeting production costs and milk losses.
The Government is expanding milk cooling facilities, supporting fodder production and conservation and working to reduce the cost of quality livestock feeds.
It is also heavily subsidising sexed semen, with farmers paying approximately KSh1,000 to KSh1,500 per dose at supported service points compared with commercial prices that can reach KSh8,000 or more.
The Government expects improved genetics to help farmers build more productive dairy herds, while better cooling infrastructure will reduce milk losses.
Lower feed costs, according to Kagwe, will also allow dairy households to retain more income from milk production.
Government promises support for crop farmers
Kagwe reaffirmed Government support for subsidised fertiliser, certified seed and other essential farm inputs.
He said the Government is also investing in early-warning systems, water harvesting, drainage, pest and disease surveillance, crop insurance and the pre-positioning of farm inputs.
These interventions are intended to help farmers cope with increasingly unpredictable weather conditions and reduce production losses.
On maize, Kagwe said imports would only be considered where a verified deficit emerges. Any imports, he said, would be strategic, time-bound and carefully managed to protect consumers from excessive unga prices without undermining local farmers.
The Government is also prioritising improved drying, storage and aggregation facilities, alongside better access to market information.
These measures are aimed at reducing post-harvest losses and preventing farmers from being forced to sell their produce at low prices immediately after harvest.
Climate-smart agriculture remains a priority
The CS said climate-smart agriculture must remain central to Kenya’s agricultural transformation.
He highlighted water harvesting, efficient irrigation, resilient crop varieties, improved soil health, agroforestry, appropriate livestock feeds and reliable climate information as important measures for building resilience.
Kagwe also challenged young people and women to look beyond primary production and explore opportunities across the agricultural value chain.
These include agricultural technology, mechanisation, aggregation, finance, transportation, processing, branding, marketing and exports.
He said Kenya’s agricultural transformation should ultimately be judged by whether farmers earn more, consumers have access to affordable food and young people can find sustainable economic opportunities.
“The success of agricultural transformation will not be measured only by the policies we announce. It will be measured by whether the farmer earns more, families access affordable food, young people find opportunity and our products compete successfully in local and international markets,” Kagwe said.
With the planned rollout of ANITRAC tags alongside livestock vaccination and wider agricultural reforms, the Government is positioning technology and traceability as important tools for improving Kenya’s livestock sector, protecting farmers and opening access to higher-value markets.
Author: Moureen Koech
Moureen Koech is a passionate Digital Journalist, an adept Agribusiness Writer with a keen eye for news and an impactful story-teller,whose stories provide key value to Agripreneurs and stakeholders in the Agricultural sector
