New e-voucher programme to modernise herd management

The Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to introduce an electronic voucher system to improve livestock vaccination and strengthen disease monitoring across counties.

The initiative aims to modernise herd management, provide real-time data, and help authorities respond faster to outbreaks.

Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said the system will be piloted in counties with high livestock populations and disease risks.

“The system, which will be piloted in regions with high livestock populations and those prone to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), anthrax, and other transboundary animal diseases, will enhance data-driven decision-making in the livestock sector,” he said during a visit to Maralal, Samburu County.

He added that security agencies will also use the platform to help curb cattle theft and the illicit livestock trade.

The programme is modelled on the successful fertiliser e-voucher system, which allows farmers to access subsidies digitally and ensures accurate distribution through a central database.

Under the new livestock system, farmers will receive digital vouchers to access vaccines, creating comprehensive health records for their animals and allowing authorities to map vaccination coverage, track disease hotspots, and respond quickly to outbreaks.

“We have already tested the system in government farms. We are in talks with all county governments through respective livestock and veterinary departments to roll out the programme immediately,” Mueke said.

He stressed that the initiative is part of a broader plan to digitise agricultural services and strengthen resilience in the livestock sector, which supports millions of rural households.

The government has set a target to vaccinate 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep in the upcoming exercise.

President William Ruto has defended the programme, saying it is critical to eradicating foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants (PPR).

However, the Kenya Veterinary Association has opposed the rollout, highlighting four risks that they say justify postponing the mass vaccination exercise.