The Kenyan government has handed over the Bachuma National Livestock Quarantine Centre in Taita-Taveta to private investor Blue Mountain for commercialization. This move aims to position the facility as a gateway for Kenyan livestock to high-value international markets. The centre will provide quarantine, inspection, and certification services for animals destined for export.
Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe stated that the project is intended to create economic opportunities for livestock farmers and communities in the region. The government estimates that the opportunities unlocked through the facility could be worth about Sh30 billion. An offtake arrangement could generate demand for up to 100,000 cattle annually, while an order for goats and sheep from South Africa was valued at approximately Sh2 billion.
The centre is expected to handle livestock from different parts of Kenya and potentially neighbouring countries. The government seeks to establish Taita-Taveta as a regional livestock trade and export hub. Principal Secretary Jonathan Mueke said the facility would help connect farmers to international markets while generating additional economic activity and revenue for the county.
The government is also seeking to strengthen the supply of animals for export through a proposed County Livestock Investment Company model covering 23 arid and semi-arid counties. Under the model, each county would target 15,000 livestock farmers, with each farmer taking a Sh10,000 share. The government would contribute Sh7,000 while the farmer contributes Sh3,000.
The arrangement would generate potential share capital of Sh150 million per county, translating to Sh3.45 billion across the 23 counties. The companies are expected to aggregate livestock, facilitate access to export markets and return profits to farmers through dividends or bonuses. This model aims to support farmers and boost the livestock sector.
Kagwe also highlighted the importance of Anitrac-Animal Identification and Traceability as a component of the livestock value chain. The system will allow animals to be traced to their source and provide information on their origin, vaccination, and animal-health history. This will strengthen livestock security while supporting access to demanding international markets.
Under the public-private partnership, the private investor is expected to provide capital, expertise, and commercial efficiency, while the government provides infrastructure, water, and regulation. The government says Bachuma will serve as “a gateway to global markets” and a catalyst for investment in Kenya’s livestock sector, creating jobs and opening markets for local communities.
Key points
- The project aims to create economic opportunities for livestock farmers and communities in the region, with potential worth of Sh30 billion.
- The centre will provide quarantine, inspection, and certification services for animals destined for export, helping Kenya meet international animal-health and food-safety requirements.
- The government seeks to establish Taita-Taveta as a regional livestock trade and export hub, handling livestock from different parts of Kenya and potentially neighbouring countries.
