The Principal Secretary State Department for Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, has challenged farmers to adopt best practices in livestock rearing to help attract both local and international markets for their products.
Mueke said the government is introducing animal identification and traceability systems to curb cattle theft and promote transparency in the livestock value chain. “This initiative will ensure that animals can be traced from farm to fork, while also helping in the recovery of stolen livestock,” he said.
Speaking during the graduation ceremony yesterday, at the Animal Health and Industry Training Institute (AHITI) in Nyahururu, the PS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to modernizing the livestock sector to enhance productivity and food security.
He announced that 17 lecturers have been posted to AHITI this year as part of efforts to strengthen training and research in animal health and production.
“We shall continue supporting the institution to ensure it remains competitive with other AHITI centers across the country. The training here is competency-based, designed to equip graduates with practical skills to serve farmers effectively,” Mueke said.
He added that AHITI Nyahururu has produced over 3,000 graduates since its inception, with 246 students joining the alumni fraternity this year.
The PS underscored the importance of commercializing agriculture and aligning production with market demands. “We must produce what the market wants as there’s ready demand for meat, milk, leather, honey, and eggs,” he said.
He further called for improved breed management and disease control through vaccination and better feed production, noting that Kenya currently produces only 55 percent of its animal feeds, and farmers should be encouraged to produce their own feeds with proper nutritional value for maximum productivity.
Present, Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Allan Azegele, emphasized the need for a qualified workforce that meets global standards for animal health and welfare. “Our students are required to go on attachment to gain real-time field experience before joining the industry,” he said.
On his side, Nyandarua Deputy Governor Mwangi Mathara proposed that AHITI Nyahururu be renamed AHITI Nyandarua, noting that the institution is located in Ol Jororok, Nyandarua County. He praised the school for its role in training local farmers and pledged continued county support through student attachments and infrastructure upgrades.
He also urged graduates to embrace continuous learning, noting that “livestock science is ever-evolving.”
Nyandarua County Commissioner Abdirisack Jaldesa who also attended the function lauded parents for investing in their children’s education and emphasized the importance of food security, particularly in empowering students to make meaningful contributions to the agricultural sector.
By Antony Mwangi
