NAIROBI, Kenya – The government is set to launch an electronic voucher system to improve livestock vaccination and disease monitoring, starting with counties that have high livestock populations and frequent outbreaks.
Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said the digital programme will be piloted in selected regions before being expanded nationwide.
“The system, which will be piloted in regions with high livestock populations and those prone to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, anthrax, and other transboundary animal diseases, will enhance data-driven decision-making in the livestock sector,” Mueke said during a tour of Maralal, Samburu County.
The e-voucher system is modelled on the government’s successful fertiliser subsidy programme, where farmers register through the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management System (KIAMS) and receive digital vouchers via SMS to redeem inputs.
In this case, farmers will access vaccines through the platform, while a central database will track distribution, vaccination coverage, and livestock health records.
Mueke added that the system will also support security agencies in curbing cattle theft and monitoring the illicit livestock trade.
Through the pilot phase, authorities will collect real-time data on vaccination, allowing mapping of disease hotspots and faster outbreak response.
Officials say the programme will help reduce vaccine wastage, improve efficiency, and provide comprehensive digital health records for Kenya’s herds.
The government has set an ambitious target of vaccinating 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep under the initiative.
President William Ruto has defended the programme as a critical step toward eradicating foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants (PPR).
However, the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) has opposed the mass vaccination exercise, warning that risks around implementation need to be addressed before a national rollout.
Despite the concerns, the Ministry of Agriculture is pressing ahead, with Mueke saying county livestock and veterinary departments are already in talks with the State to support the launch.
“We have already tested the system in government farms. Piloting it in targeted regions will help refine operations and ensure smooth integration before scaling it up across the country,” he said.
The programme is expected to benefit millions of rural households dependent on livestock while modernising disease control and strengthening Kenya’s agricultural digitisation drive.
