The livestock sub-sector is responsible for over 90 percent of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions and approximately 20 percent of Kenya’s total GHG emissions, positioning it as both a significant contributor to climate change and a critical target for mitigation efforts. According to Nakuru County Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries, and Veterinary Services, Dr Michael Cheruiyot, livestock is a major source of methane, which has a short life cycle but a high potential to warm the atmosphere.

Dr Cheruiyot explained that livestock emits methane through the rumen’s digestive processes, known as enteric fermentation. Manure management practices also release substantial amounts of methane and nitrous oxide, compounding the sector’s climate impact.

Nakuru hosts methane reduction validation workshop

The devolved unit continues to position itself at the forefront of climate-smart livestock development by hosting the Baseline Study Report Validation Workshop under the Kenya Livestock Methane Reduction Strategy Project, spearheaded by Solidaridad. The chief officer pointed out that the forum brought together key stakeholders, researchers, and development partners to review and validate findings from a baseline study focusing on methane emissions in smallholder dairy systems.

“We explored social and institutional factors influencing the adoption of mitigation measures across Nakuru County and Nyandarua County. The two-year Kenya Livestock Methane Reduction Strategy Project aims to develop a national methane reduction strategy backed by strong institutional frameworks, enabling the scaling and replication of mitigation technologies,” Dr Cheruiyot stated.

He added that through multi-stakeholder engagements, on-farm demonstrations, and alignment with existing research such as Kenya’s livestock emissions inventory and the Food and Agriculture Organization’s low-emission dairy solutions, the initiative is set to drive meaningful change in the sector.

Improved feed offers double benefit

Many interventions, such as improved feed quality, not only reduce methane emissions but also increase milk and meat production by up to 30 percent. Addressing methane emissions from livestock is expected to help Kenya achieve the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global temperature increases while simultaneously boosting farmer incomes.

Dr Cheruiyot indicated that the main sources of livestock emissions are enteric fermentation, which is directly influenced by feeding practices and feed quality. The livestock sub-sector has been identified as a key player in mitigating GHG emissions from agriculture in line with the Global Methane Pledge to reduce emissions by 30 percent by 2030.

National emissions projected to rise sharply

The chief officer warned that nationally, GHG emissions are expected to increase by 79 percent to 143 megatonnes by 2030, while agricultural emissions alone are projected to rise by 23 percent, driven mainly by livestock enteric emissions. Kenya is among developing nations where agriculture and land use sectors dominate the share of total GHG emissions.

He revealed that Governor Susan Kihika’s administration has prioritised climate actions in agriculture, forestry, and other land use for both adaptation and mitigation. Kenya has set an ambitious target to reduce methane emissions by 32 percent.

“Practical implementation of mitigation within livestock systems should be driven by farmers,” Dr Cheruiyot said.

Low-income countries face higher methane output

Livestock emissions are 80 percent methane, while globally, 54 percent of all emissions are various forms of methane. Low and middle-income countries produce more methane because they have larger livestock populations with lower productivity per animal.

“Eighty-one percent of methane emissions take place in low and middle-income countries while 18 percent take place in high-income countries,” stated Dr Cheruiyot.

To curb GHG emissions, the chief officer called for diversification of livestock systems through mixed farming, adoption of climate-smart agriculture, improvement of breeds and genetics, enhancement of water management, capacity building, early warning systems, and improved feed practices. For Kenya’s smallholder farmers, these interventions offer a pathway to reducing their environmental footprint while increasing the productivity that sustains millions of rural livelihoods