President Ruto Urges Ministry of Agriculture to Change Cattle Skin- Branding Model to the Ears

Wednesday, September 27, 2023 marked day three of the Agricultural Society of Kenya Show which was graced by the President Ruto.

Ruto arrived at the Nairobi Trade Fair for its official opening at the Jamhuri Park off Ngong Road with over 300 local and international exhibitors who will be showcasing their innovations at the Trade Fair before its closure on Friday, September 29, 2023 with the Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The auctioning saw politicians leaving with cattle worth a great amount of money , which were Spring cattle of 630kg. 6teeth bought by Alfaraz for 800k, Governor Sakaja bought a cross cow at 400k, Boran 2years old was bought by President Ruto for 400k , two cows worth 750k bought by CS Aden Duale and the last one was bought by President Ruto , a 2year old Boran cow , 6 teeth worth 300k.

It was at the auction event that the president identified with the branding menace that he had to address as soon as possible.

President William Ruto urged the ministry of agriculture to advise cattle keeping and rearing firms to change the model of branding of skins to the ears. This is because the skins are products used for value addition and hence should not be put to waste. He donated three cows that he purchased at the auction.

President Ruto’s sentiment come four years after farmers raised the same issue in 2019 but according to him, the branding ought to be on the ears to improve the quality of the skins since too much skins damage reduces the quality and therefore the sale of cow skins.

A July 10, 2019 report on cattle branding confirmed the struggle of farmers to easily identify their cattle due to rustling issues and tracing.

 Livestock farmers in cattle rustling prone areas in the North Rift region later went on to urge the County and national governments to introduce branding of livestock program as a way of dealing with cattle rustling menace.

West Pokot, Turkana, Elgeyo Marakwet and Baringo counties known for a long time to be raiding each other for cattle a move that has lowered the development of the region. Farmers stated that cattle rustling activities greatly hindered development considering their pastoral form of life.

They said the move would enable them to sell their animals without hitches and easy tracing of stolen animals. They said that calm returned in the region after the Government beefed up security and elders reconciled the neighbouring communities.

 Stephen Yakan a farmer from Tapach area in West Pokot county noted that livestock in the region looked alike and it was only through the special branding that the practice will be curbed. He further went on to affirm that the branding will avert confusion between livestock traders and those engaging in cattle rustling activities.

President Ruto’s sentiment come four years after farmers raised the same issue in 2019 but according to him, the branding ought to be on the ears to improve the quality of the skins since too much skins damage reduces the quality and therefore the sale of cow skins.

Research shows that rural slaughter slabs and homestead slaughter are the main sources of hides and skins, which are utilised in tanneries in major towns of the country. However, value addition along the chain is relatively un-developed.

The main constraints reducing value addition include but not limited to non-recovery, low supply, poor quality, hot climate leading to faster spoilage, high transaction levies and lack of markets.

Poor quality according to hides and skins sellers has always been caused by parasites and diseases, the small size of hides from pastoral livestock, inappropriately placed brand marks, damage of hides from thorny grasslands, flay cuts and inappropriate curing techniques.

Appropriate branding could be a cure to such menaces that pose quality constraints to market value of hides and skins and could help sellers , a great deal.