PS Mueke outlines measures to boost livestock production amid disease outbreaks
By People Daily Digital Reporter, May 24, 2026Principal Secretary for the State Department for Livestock Development, Jonathan Mueke, has said the government is rolling out targeted measures to boost productivity, improve market access, and strengthen resilience among livestock farmers and pastoral communities.
Speaking in Nanyuki Town during this year’s Mt Kenya Branch Agricultural Society of Kenya (ASK) Show on Saturday, May 23, 2026, Mueke said livestock diseases, rangeland degradation, and poor market access remain key constraints affecting production in the sector.
“Through our state department of livestock development, we are implementing interventions aimed at improving productivity, enhancing market access and strengthening resilience among livestock farmers and pastoral communities,” Mueke stated.
Collaboration with the national govt
Mueke stated that the national government will collaborate with county governments and other stakeholders to implement timely interventions aimed at addressing emerging challenges facing the livestock sub-sector.
Among the implementations is nationwide vaccination campaigns and investment in improved genetics through artificial
insemination breeding programmes.
“Climate change continues to present serious challenges to agriculture and livestock production through prolonged drought, emerging diseases, pasture degradation and water scarcity, and it is encouraging to see increased focus on climate-smart agriculture at this Year’s Laikipia ASK exhibitions,” Mueke said.
Fighting Foot and Mouth disease
Outbreak of livestock diseases such as Foot and Mouth remains a major threat that does not only restrict free livestock movement within rangelands but access to major markets.
This year’s four-day show recorded a rise in the number of exhibitors but the livestock was conspicous in that only a few animals were on display, a situation attributed to fear of diseases spread.
Laikipia County is among top producers of high quality beef and mutton for local and export markets market but outbreak of diseases has continued to adversely affect exhibition of livestock denying show-goers an opportunity to learn modern and innovative farming skills.
The current conflict in the Middle East following the US-Israel War on Iran has also affected Kenya’s beef export markets leading to loss of millions of shillings with farmers.