By Sandra Blessing
Governor Press Unit
Adoption of technology in cattle identification by the County Government of Bungoma will reduce the high incidence of livestock theft in the region.
The technology will give real-time notification to the farmer on the specific location of the livestock and seek his consent to confirm if he has authorised its sale.
The cow identity card is unique and is linked to the farmer to help reduce livestock theft.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka announced the rollout of a cattle identification system using the Mifugo 360 Super App, which will digitally link each cow to its owner.
He said the innovation was expected to improve disease monitoring, curb livestock theft, and open structured markets for farmers.
The Governor recently unveiled a Sh 29.2M countywide cattle vaccination and identification programme, promising to shield farmers from devastating livestock losses while boosting productivity.
He said 266,000 cattle will be vaccinated against Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) in the county.
During the launch at Wabukhonyi in Ndivisi Ward, the Governor said the initiative was anchored on an E-Voucher subsidy system.
“The programme is aimed at protecting our farmers from losses and improving market access. Every cow will be registered, identified, and monitored through modern technology to enhance traceability and animal health,” he said.
He said under the scheme, farmers will pay Sh 50 per animal, while the County Government will subsidise with Sh 110.
The Governor said for successful implementation of the programme, the county has engaged 58 private animal health practitioners to work alongside government veterinarians in door-to-door vaccination, a departure from the old mass vaccination model.
Alongside the vaccination drive, the Governor also highlighted wider agricultural reforms, including the establishment of ward-based SACCOs to improve farmers’ access to credit, support for Farmer Producer Organisations (FPOs), and the multiplication of high-quality Jun Cao fodder in every ward.
“We are not only vaccinating cattle, but also laying the foundation for sustainable livestock farming and better incomes for our people,” he said.
Lusaka appealed to the farmers to fully embrace the programme, warning that failing to vaccinate or register animals could expose them to unnecessary losses.
The launch marks a milestone in Bungoma’s efforts to modernise agriculture and secure livelihoods in a county where livestock rearing remains the backbone of the rural economy.
