MPs seek greater transparency in livestock productivity programmes funding
By Faith Lagat, May 29, 2026The National Assembly’s Public Debt and Privatization Committee has raised concerns over equity and accountability in livestock development programmes, even as the Ministry of Livestock Development reported significant gains under donor-funded initiatives.
Appearing before the committee at Bunge Tower on May 28, 2026, Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke outlined progress under key projects targeting rural livestock farmers across several counties.
Milk production and livestock gains
Mueke said the Smallholder Dairy Commercialisation Project (SDCP) has recorded improved productivity, with average milk yields increasing from four litres per cow per day to 14 litres among participating farmers.
He also reported a decline in cattle mortality rates in drought-prone regions, dropping from 22 per cent to 13 per cent following expanded vaccination campaigns and investments in water infrastructure.
According to the PS, the Livestock Commercialisation Project has so far reached more than 70,000 households out of a target of 110,000 poor rural households across 10 counties.
“These interventions are transforming livelihoods by improving productivity, reducing livestock losses and enhancing resilience among pastoralist communities,” Mueke said.
Lawmakers question regional equity
Committee Chairperson Shurie Abdi and Lamu West MP Stanley Muthama questioned the distribution of projects, raising concerns that some regions, including the Coast and Lower Eastern, appeared to have limited participation.
Abdi stressed that since the programmes are financed through loans repaid by all Kenyans, benefits should be distributed equitably across the country.
“It will be good maybe… as a ministry, it’s good to look at the whole country because this loan will not be paid by these regions only, but will be paid by all Kenyans,” she said.
Lawmakers urged the ministry to include communities engaged in beekeeping and goat rearing in future programmes to ensure broader inclusivity.
Accountability and funding concerns
Project coordinators explained that implementation areas were selected based on ecological landscapes such as the Sabarua and Mara ecosystems to prioritise climate resilience rather than political boundaries.
While MPs acknowledged the explanation, they insisted that equity must remain central in programme design and implementation.
Mueke also cited budget cuts of up to 50 percent in some donor-supported programmes and staffing shortages, noting reliance on county officers who are frequently transferred.
Committee Chairperson Abdi directed the ministry to submit a detailed breakdown of all borrowed funds, including the government’s five percent counterpart contribution, with itemised disbursement reports per county and per project for full financial tracking.