The government has intensified efforts to improve livestock breeds in Samburu County, with the aim of enhancing the quality of meat and milk products for access to international markets.
At the Nomotio Livestock Improvement Centre in Maralal town, authorities announced the distribution of 2,810 Galana goats under a restocking programme. This initiative is designed to strengthen goat breeding in the region and uplift pastoralist livelihoods.
Kenya has also secured a livestock export market in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) through the recently signed Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement is expected to open up new opportunities for farmers, as international buyers will offer competitive prices for livestock products and live animals, provided that quality standards are met through improved breeding and regular vaccination.
A subsidised national mass vaccination campaign will soon begin in Samburu County, following an awareness drive under the Food Systems Resilience Project. Local herders have been urged to cooperate with extension officers during the vaccination exercise to protect their animals from diseases and ensure they meet export requirements.
To address insecurity challenges such as cattle rustling, the government has developed the Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC). Already tested on state-owned farms, the system will be rolled out across the country. Each animal will be fitted with a tag embedded with a chip containing details about the owner, breed, weight, and vaccination history. The system will help curb livestock theft and assure buyers of the origin and quality of meat products through the ANITRAC stamp.
In addition to breeding and security initiatives, infrastructure development is also a key priority. A newly commissioned Sh13.2 million water pan at the Nomotio Livestock Improvement Centre is set to benefit pastoralists and their animals, offering a 20-million-litre capacity to cushion communities during prolonged dry seasons.
Samburu County is positioning livestock rearing as a key economic activity rather than a purely traditional practice. The county has allocated 11 per cent of its development budget to livestock and agriculture. This has enabled the purchase and distribution of 1,000 camels and 1,000 Sahiwal heifers annually to support pastoral households.
Partnerships with projects such as the Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Project (KeLoP) have further boosted the sector by training community-based animal health workers and supplying veterinary drugs and vaccines. These combined efforts are expected to transform livestock farming in Samburu into a competitive, export-driven industry that significantly contributes to Kenya’s economy.
