Kenya Wins Global Recognition for Veterinary Drug Oversight, Lands First African Bid to Host World Congress
By Mercy Kachenge
NAIROBI, Kenya, July 18 – As climate change fuels prolonged droughts, emerging livestock diseases and antimicrobial resistance, veterinary medicine has become one of the most critical yet often overlooked pillars of Kenya’s food security. Kenya is earning global recognition for strengthening animal health systems.
The country recently won the bid to host the World Veterinary Association Congress in 2028, becoming the first African nation to host the prestigious global event, while a Kenyan veterinarian received an international award for advancing veterinary medicines stewardship.
The recognition comes at a time when the livestock sector remains one of Kenya’s economic lifelines.
According to the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the livestock sector contributes approximately 12 per cent of Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and accounts for 40 to 42 per cent of the country’s agricultural GDP, underscoring its central role in livelihoods, nutrition and national food security.
For Dr. Josiah Mandieka, a veterinary surgeon and recipient of the World Veterinary Association Award for Veterinary Medicines Stewardship, the honour extends far beyond personal achievement.
“This is a very humbling experience for Kenya,” he said.
“It demonstrates that Kenya has the capacity to manage veterinary medicines from manufacturing and importation to distribution and responsible use”.
“The award recognises Kenya’s efforts to strengthen regulation of veterinary medicines at a time when antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is emerging as one of the world’s greatest public health threats.
AMR occurs when bacteria, viruses and other microbes become resistant to medicines, making infections harder to treat.
Misuse and overuse of antibiotics in both humans and animals have accelerated the crisis, threatening food production, animal health and human medicine.
“For a long time the world has suffered because of the misuse of veterinary medicines and the inability of countries to regulate them properly,”
Dr. Mandieka said. “Kenya has shown that it is possible to establish strong systems that protect both animals and people.
“A major milestone came in 2017 with the establishment of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD), Kenya’s first dedicated regulatory body overseeing veterinary pharmaceuticals.
Dr. Mandieka, who served as the pioneering Vice Chairperson for six years, helped develop the policies and regulatory framework that now guide the country’s veterinary medicines sector.
The strengthened oversight has improved confidence in Kenya’s animal products by ensuring proper use of veterinary drugs and adherence to withdrawal periods before meat, milk and other animal products reach consumers.
“Because Kenya manages veterinary medicines effectively, we are contributing to the global fight against antimicrobial resistance while assuring international markets that our animal products are safe,” he said.
The implications extend beyond public health. By strengthening regulation and improving food safety standards, Kenya is positioning itself as a trusted exporter of livestock and animal products, creating new opportunities for farmers and boosting the country’s competitiveness in regional and international markets.
The country’s growing influence in veterinary science was further demonstrated after the Kenya Veterinary Association (KVA) secured the right to host the World Veterinary Association Congress in 2028.
KVA Honorary Secretary Carol Khaemba described the achievement as historic.
“We are the first African country to win this bid and host the World Veterinary Association Congress. This is a win not only for Kenya but for the entire African continent,” she said.
The congress is expected to attract more than 2,000 delegates from across the world, providing a significant boost to Kenya’s tourism industry, hospitality sector and knowledge economy.
“We believe many visitors will participate in tourism and other economic activities beyond the congress, creating additional value for the country,” Khaemba said.
But even as Kenya celebrates its growing global reputation, veterinary professionals say more work remains.One of the biggest concerns is ensuring existing animal health laws are fully implemented.
Khaemba noted that veterinarians remain central to safeguarding food safety because they determine whether the meat and other animal products reaching consumers are safe for human consumption.
“We believe government needs to strengthen implementation of existing policies because veterinarians play a key role in protecting food safety and public health,” she said.
Kenya Veterinary Association Council Member Dr. Daniel Muasya echoed those concerns, saying enforcement remains the missing link.
“The laws already exist, What we continually ask government to do is ensure proper implementation, including enforcing animal welfare laws and ensuring only qualified professionals practice veterinary medicine,” he said.
Dr. Muasya warned that illegal slaughter, poor animal welfare practices and unqualified practitioners administering veterinary drugs continue to threaten both livestock production and public health.
“We continue to see people who are not qualified purchasing medicines and treating animals. It requires cooperation among all agencies to ensure consumers receive safe animal products and that public health is protected,” he said.
As climate change continues to alter disease patterns, veterinarians are also urging farmers to adopt more sustainable production systems.
Khaemba said integrating livestock and crop production, improving manure management and promoting climate-smart farming practices will help communities adapt while protecting the environment.
“We encourage farmers to produce livestock in the right way and create synergy between crop and livestock production so that they protect the environment while improving productivity,” she said.
For Kenya, hosting the World Veterinary Association Congress is more than an international honour.
It signals growing confidence in the country’s veterinary systems and offers an opportunity to showcase African leadership in animal health, food safety and disease control.
As Kenya prepares to welcome the world’s veterinary professionals in 2028, the bigger challenge lies beyond hosting a successful global congress.
The real test will be translating international recognition into stronger disease surveillance, climate-resilient livestock systems, safer food and better livelihoods for millions of farmers who depend on healthy animals every day.
