Kenya to pilot e-voucher system for livestock vaccination

KENYA – Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture is preparing to launch a new electronic voucher system for livestock vaccination and disease monitoring, targeting counties with large herds and frequent outbreaks of animal diseases. 

The initiative is part of the government’s broader agenda to digitise agricultural services and provide farmers with better tools for managing livestock health.

The programme will begin with a pilot phase in selected high-risk counties before being rolled out nationwide, Livestock Development Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke announced during a visit to Maralal, Samburu County.

“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,” Mueke said.

Building on fertiliser e-voucher success

The livestock vaccination programme is modelled on the fertiliser e-voucher system, which has been credited with improving access to subsidised inputs. 

Through the Kenya Integrated Agriculture Management System (KIAMS), farmers will register and receive digital vouchers via SMS or other platforms. These can then be redeemed at designated veterinary depots or agro-vet shops for vaccines.

Officials say the approach will ensure vaccines are distributed accurately while creating a centralised database for tracking animal health.

By collecting real-time vaccination data, authorities will be able to map coverage, identify disease hotspots, and mount faster responses 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 noted.

The system will also generate digital health records for livestock, improving herd traceability and supporting security agencies in tackling cattle theft and the illicit livestock trade.

Vaccination targets and concerns

Under the plan, the government aims to vaccinate 22 million cattle and 50 million goats and sheep. President William Ruto has backed the programme, calling it vital for eradicating foot-and-mouth disease and peste des petits ruminants (PPR), both of which have devastated herds in parts of the country.

However, the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) has voiced opposition to the rollout, citing risks they argue warrant a postponement of mass vaccination. The association has yet to disclose whether it will propose alternative solutions to the government.

Despite the pushback, authorities remain confident the pilot will demonstrate the benefits of the e-voucher system and pave the way for nationwide adoption. 

Farmers in the targeted counties are expected to gain easier access to vaccines, while officials hope to strengthen Kenya’s livestock health monitoring and disease response capacity.

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