NAIROBI — Kenya's livestock sector could unlock significant economic gains if veterinary services are scaled up, Agriculture and Livestock Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe has said.

Speaking at the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) end-of-year award ceremony, Kagwe emphasized that veterinarians are critical to safeguarding animal health, maintaining export markets, and supporting rural livelihoods.

"Vets are great pillars for the country's economy. They are great pillars for the country's public health system," Kagwe said, highlighting the link between veterinary services, livestock productivity, and national economic growth.

Kenya, with the fourth-largest cattle herd in Africa, has previously lost export opportunities due to outbreaks of diseases such as foot-and-mouth, underscoring the economic importance of disease control.

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Kagwe warned that the sector remains understaffed, with only about 170 veterinarians employed across the national and county governments.

"Many communities, especially in arid and semi-arid areas, rely on livestock. If you can take care of their animals, then indirectly you are ensuring that their livelihood is better," he added.

Likewise, Kagwe noted that ongoing vaccination campaigns and improved disease surveillance could boost Kenya's livestock trade and create new income streams for rural households.

The KVA has also focused on advocacy, professional development, and member welfare, including publishing the annual Vetscope magazine and offering medical cover schemes for members.

According to Kagwe, the government is keen on treating veterinary services as a public good, rather than merely a revenue-generating activity, to fully realize the sector's potential to enhance economic stability, safeguard food security, and grow export earnings.