Govt unveils livestock export push as Kenya seeks to unlock global markets for farmers

Kenya is stepping up efforts to turn livestock farming into a commercially driven export industry, with the Government targeting water, finance, breeding, traceability and access to high-value international markets.

Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe engaged ranchers in Taita-Taveta County on Wednesday, September 23, 2026, as the government moved to unlock the county’s livestock potential and strengthen the supply chain for exports.

At the centre of the strategy is the Bachuma National Livestock Quarantine Centre, which is being commercialised through a private-sector partnership with Blue Mountain. The facility is expected to provide quarantine, inspection and certification services for animals destined for international markets.

Bachuma positioned as export gateway

The government is positioning Bachuma not simply as a livestock holding facility but as a critical link between Kenyan producers and international buyers.

The ministry says the centre will help animals meet international requirements on animal health, traceability and food safety, while creating opportunities for investment, jobs and higher farmer incomes. The facility was established to support compliance with international animal-health and trade standards and facilitate livestock health certification.

The development comes as officials point to substantial potential demand for Kenyan livestock. A reported offtake arrangement could absorb up to 100,000 cattle annually, while an order for goats and sheep from South African buyers was cited at about KSh2 billion. Officials have put the potential value linked to the facility at about KSh30 billion.

Government targets 15,000 farmers per county

Kagwe also highlighted the proposed County Livestock Investment Company model covering 23 arid and semi-arid counties.

Under the plan, each county would target 15,000 livestock farmers, with each farmer taking a Ksh10,000 share. The Government would contribute Ksh7,000 while the farmer contributes Ksh3,000.

The model could mobilise Ksh150 million in share capital per county and Ksh3.45 billion across the 23 counties, creating farmer-owned structures capable of aggregating livestock, accessing larger markets and returning value through dividends or bonuses.

The government says the approach is intended to move livestock production away from fragmented markets towards organised commercial supply chains.

Traceability, water key to export drive

Another pillar is the Animal Identification and Traceability system, ANITRAC, which enables livestock to be traced to their source, including origin, vaccination and animal-health history.

“For Kenya to compete in demanding international livestock markets, traceability is no longer optional. It is fundamental to livestock security, disease control, consumer confidence and access to premium export markets,” the ministry said.

Traceability is critical for disease control, livestock security, consumer confidence and compliance with requirements in international markets. The system is also expected to strengthen Kenya’s ability to participate in formal export supply chains.

In Taita-Taveta, the national and county governments will work with ranchers to identify strategic sites for water pans and other livestock infrastructure to support production across the county’s rangelands.

The emerging public-private model will combine private capital and technical expertise with Government support in infrastructure, water development, regulation and veterinary oversight.

Kagwe’s engagement comes as Bachuma enters a new phase aimed at connecting Kenyan livestock producers with regional and international markets while building a more organised, traceable and commercially viable livestock export industry.