Every cow, sheep and goat in Kenya will be required to carry an Animal Identification and Traceability (ANITRAC) tag as the Government moves to use technology to combat cattle rustling, strengthen disease surveillance and improve livestock market access.
Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the identification system would give every animal a traceable identity, making it harder for stolen livestock to be moved or sold without detection.
Kagwe said every cow would be fitted with a distinctive yellow ANITRAC ear tag, warning cattle rustlers against removing the tags by cutting off animals’ ears.
“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.
Speaking during the official opening of the Central Kenya National Show 2026 in Nyeri, the CS said ANITRAC would also enable authorities to trace livestock throughout the value chain.
The system is expected to strengthen disease surveillance and help Kenya meet international market requirements relating to animal origin, animal health, food safety and traceability.
The rollout comes alongside the national livestock vaccination programme, under which more than 20 million cattle, sheep and goats have already been vaccinated across the country.
Kagwe said stronger animal health and identification systems were critical to improving Kenya’s livestock export potential and ensuring farmers benefit from higher-value markets.
The CS also announced increased Government support for avocado and macadamia farmers through quality planting materials, extension services, aggregation, certification and improved market access.
He warned farmers against harvesting and selling immature avocado and macadamia, saying the practice undermines Kenya’s reputation in international markets and reduces returns to producers.
“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.
He said international buyers were increasingly demanding mature produce, traceability, consistent quality and reliable supply. The Government would therefore strengthen aggregation and certification while promoting local processing to retain more jobs and value in producing counties.
On the tea sector, Kagwe said the Tea Levy Regulations, 2026, which came into effect on May 1, provide for a 0.8 per cent levy on tea exports.
He said the proceeds would support tea infrastructure, including feeder roads and buying centres, while helping protect Kenyan tea from unfair competition and promoting value addition.
Kagwe said farmers should see tangible benefits through better infrastructure, efficient buying centres, stronger markets and improved returns as Kenya moves beyond bulk tea exports to branding, packaging and blending.
On coffee, the CS said implementation of the Coffee Act, 2026 had entered the operational stage following the establishment of the Coffee Board of Kenya and the Coffee Research and Training Institute.
He said the reforms should deliver transparent systems, quality planting materials, reliable research and extension services, stronger cooperatives and access to high-value markets.
Kagwe also outlined measures targeting dairy farmers, including expansion of milk coolers, support for fodder production and conservation and efforts to reduce the cost of quality livestock feeds.
He said subsidised sexed semen had reduced the cost to farmers to approximately Sh1,000 to Sh1,500 per dose at supported service points, compared with commercial prices that can reach Sh8,000 or more.
The CS said improving livestock genetics, reducing milk losses through cooling and lowering feed costs would help dairy households increase production and retain more income.
He further reaffirmed Government support for subsidised fertiliser, certified seed and other farm inputs, alongside investments in early-warning systems, water harvesting, drainage, pest and disease surveillance and crop insurance.
Kagwe said any maize imports arising from a verified deficit would be strategic, time-bound and carefully managed to protect consumers from high unga prices without undermining local farmers.
He said the Government was also prioritising improved drying, storage, aggregation and access to market information to reduce post-harvest losses and distress sales.
“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