Bungoma County to Roll Out Animal Identification Devices to Curb Livestock Theft

Bungoma County to Roll Out Animal Identification Devices to Curb Livestock Theft

BUNGOMA — The County Government of Bungoma will next week roll out modern identification devices for domestic animals, starting with cows, in a bid to tackle rampant livestock theft in rural areas.

Speaking during an agricultural field day at the Mabanga Institute for Agriculture, County Executive Committee (CEC) Member for Agriculture Eng. Kibunguchi said the new technology will revolutionize livestock management.

“The device will help us curb the theft of animals like cows, which has been a major challenge in our villages,” Kibunguchi said. “If a cow is stolen, the device will send a location alert to the owner’s mobile phone, making recovery easier. I urge farmers to embrace this innovation—it is the modern way forward.”

Governor Kenneth Lusaka echoed the call for adoption of the technology, urging farmers to take livestock rearing seriously as part of a broader shift toward agribusiness.

“Today, agriculture is the order of the day,” Lusaka said. “Unfortunately, most of our farmers are over 60 years old. The youth have shunned farming, viewing it as punishment instead of an economic opportunity. We must change this mindset.”

Lusaka also predicted a bumper harvest for the county this year and urged farmers to manage their produce wisely.

“Do not sell all your harvests only to starve later. Store enough food for your families before taking the rest to market,” he advised.

He further encouraged diversification, highlighting poultry farming as an untapped opportunity. Lusaka reminded farmers about the modern slaughterhouse he helped establish in Chwele during his tenure as Principal Secretary for Livestock.

“The facility can slaughter over 4,000 chickens a day. We must make full use of it and turn poultry rearing into a profitable venture,” he said.

Bungoma has continued to shine in the agricultural sector, with the National Agricultural and Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP) ranking it the best-performing county in Kenya last year.

“With these new innovations and the commitment of our farmers, Bungoma is on the path to becoming a model agricultural county,” Lusaka concluded.