By Joel Chacha/Nairobi/Kenya
Kenya’s livestock sector has entered a decisive new phase after the inauguration of a new Board at the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB), with Dr. John Wilberforce Muchibi taking over as Chair, even as more than 1,300 veterinary interns were officially inducted in a ceremony that underscored the sector’s central role in economic growth, public health and global trade.
The event, presided over by Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Sen. Mutahi Kagwe, signaled a bold shift toward a data-driven, export-oriented livestock economy anchored on technology, youth empowerment and strict international standards.
In a hard-hitting address,CS Kagwe made it clear that Kenya’s ambitions in global livestock markets will now be defined by compliance and credibility, pointing to the rollout of the Animal Identification and Traceability System (ANITRAC) as non-negotiable.
“Moving forward, exporting animals to international markets must have traceability. That is why we have ANITRAC,” CS Kagwe said, drawing a direct line between digital systems and Kenya’s ability to compete globally.
The CS positioned veterinary professionals at the centre of this transformation, describing the profession as no longer confined to animal treatment but as a strategic pillar linking food security, trade, public health and national stability.
Newly appointed KVB Chair Dr. John Wilberforce Muchibi framed his appointment as a transition from academia to national responsibility, warning that the Board sits at a critical intersection of competing national priorities.
“You are sitting at the intersection of animal health, public health, food security and national stability,” he said.
Muchibi emphasized that the Board’s role will be to safeguard livelihoods, protect communities from zoonotic diseases and drive national growth, while also creating space for innovation in a rapidly evolving sector.
He acknowledged the challenges ahead but signaled a reform-minded approach focused on impact, regulation and professional excellence.
Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke delivered a strong message to the newly inducted interns, placing youth at the heart of the sector’s future.
“Transformation is not driven by policy alone — it is driven by you, the young people,” PS Mueke said.
He added that investing in young professionals unlocks innovation and real impact, noting that the Ministry is committed to timely support, facilitation and structured career pathways.
“Livestock is not just about animals — it is about data, international markets and innovation,” he stated, reinforcing the Ministry’s shift toward commercialization and global competitiveness.
The internship programme, now in its 10th cohort, brings in over 1,300 graduates, adding to more than 7,500 trained since its inception — a critical workforce pipeline aimed at strengthening service delivery across the livestock value chain.
Director of Veterinary Services Dr. Allan Azegele stressed the urgency of adopting the One Health approach, a global framework that integrates human, animal and environmental health.
He warned that emerging threats — including zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance and climate-related risks — require a multi-disciplinary, coordinated response.
“The veterinary profession continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding public health and ensuring food safety,” Dr.Azegele said, calling for stronger collaboration across sectors.
At the core of the government’s strategy is the digitization of agriculture through platforms such as the Kenya Agricultural Digital and Information Centre (KADIC) and systems like ANITRAC, which are expected to transform disease surveillance, service delivery and market access.
CS Kagwe said the shift to digital is not just a technological upgrade but a complete redefinition of veterinary practice, requiring new competencies in data, remote services and real-time decision-making.
The move is also aligned with President William Ruto’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which places livestock at the centre of job creation, industrialization and income growth.
The government is now aggressively linking veterinary services to export markets, with professionals expected to play a critical role in certification, compliance and value chain support.
As Kenya expands access to international markets, particularly in livestock and animal products, the demand for high-quality, traceable and standards-compliant outputs is expected to rise sharply.
CS Kagwe urged the interns to rise to the occasion, reminding them that their role extends beyond clinics to shaping Kenya’s economic future.
“This is your calling,” he said. “Your contribution is both technical and strategic.”
With new leadership at the KVB, a growing pipeline of skilled professionals, and a clear policy direction anchored on technology and global integration, Kenya’s livestock sector is positioning itself as a key driver of economic transformation with a clear message that: the future of livestock is digital, youth-driven, globally competitive and uncompromising on standards.
