Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has strongly opposed proposals before Parliament and the East Africa Legislative Assembly (EALA) seeking to merge the regulation of human and veterinary medicines.

In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, following a visit to the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Kagwe warned that the move would violate international best practices and pose risks to public health, food safety, and livestock production.

“CS Sen. Mutahi Kagwe has opposed proposals before Parliament of Kenya and the East Africa Legislative Assembly seeking to merge the regulation of human and veterinary medicines,” the statement read.

Global regulatory standards

The former Nyeri Senator argued that the current separation of human and veterinary medicines is science-based, cautioning that the proposals risk weakening the regulatory oversight of veterinary medicines at a critical time for the livestock sector.

“The separation of human and veterinary medicines, introduced in 2015, is science-based and aligned with global regulatory standards under the East African Community and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), and should not be reversed through legislation,” Kagwe stated.

“Proposals emerging from parliamentary mediation processes could weaken veterinary medicines oversight at a time of heightened disease pressure on livestock, particularly during drought,” he added.

Govt commitment

While announcing a series of reforms to enhance the capacity and effectiveness of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, the CS pledged that upcoming legislation will entrench the Directorate in law to protect farmers, consumers, and public health.

“The CS reaffirmed the government’s commitment to strengthening the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, warning that dispensing veterinary medicines without VMD approval is illegal, and announced reforms including staff recruitment, internships, regional offices, and plans to operationalise the National Veterinary Medicines Quality Control Laboratory,” the statement read.