Thursday, 15 May, 2025
Senate Health Committee grills veterinary regulator over health products bill
Bunge Towers, Parliament Buildings, Thursday, 15th May 2025,
The Senate Standing Committee on Health, chaired by Senator Jackson Mandago (Uasin Gishu), held a rigorous session with the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) to interrogate the potential impacts of the Kenya Health Products and Technologies Regulatory Authority Bill, 2022.
The Bill seeks to consolidate the regulation of human and veterinary health products under a new centralised authority, a move that has drawn significant concern from veterinary professionals, regulatory experts, and sector stakeholders.
Held at the Bunge Towers, the session formed part of the Committee’s ongoing public participation exercise, as required under Article 118 of the Constitution and Senate Standing Order 145. Stakeholders from across the veterinary industry were present to offer their views on how the Bill may affect the safety, access, and regulation of animal health products in Kenya.
Senator Mandago opened the session by directing the VMD to clarify the origin of veterinary drugs available in Kenya. “Where exactly are the drugs being administered to our animals manufactured? Are we importing them, or are they made locally, and how are they verified before reaching farmers?” he asked, emphasising that the answer was critical to understanding the country’s regulatory preparedness.
In response, Dr. Allyham Amasha, representing the academic and professional veterinary sector, stated, “A significant portion of veterinary medicines are manufactured here in Kenya. We have operational facilities that are licensed, and the VMD ensures the drugs undergo rigorous quality testing before approval and distribution.”
He added that any effort to shift this regulation to a generalist health authority risked compromising the existing systems that ensure these products are safe and effective.
Senator Mariam Omar, the Committee’s Vice Chairperson, raised further concerns about the infiltration of illegal and unregulated drugs through informal border points. “We have evidence that some animal drugs are being smuggled in from Somalia and Ethiopia. These are not tested or registered, yet they’re finding their way to farms. How are we ensuring that milk or meat from such animals is safe for public consumption?”
Dr. Nungula Karachu, Chairperson of the Kenya Veterinary Board (KVB), addressed the issue by pointing to a clause in the Bill. “Clause 3(2) of the proposed law states that no other authority may regulate items falling under this Act. That effectively sidelines the Veterinary Medicines Directorate and could create a regulatory vacuum. If passed in its current form, the Bill will blur responsibilities and open the floodgates for unregulated products.”
The Committee also questioned the proposed involvement of pharmacists in dispensing veterinary drugs. Senator Mandago asked, “Are pharmacists truly equipped to guide farmers on drug use in animals? This is about more than just handing over medicine— it’s about understanding animal biology and treatment.”
Dr. Delphine Ogutu, technical expert at the VMD, replied, “Pharmacists are trained for human medicine, not animal health. Veterinary medicine requires deep knowledge of different species, treatment regimens, and withdrawal periods. Misuse of these drugs, especially when guidance is inadequate, could result in toxic residues in food products and growing resistance to treatments.”
The Committee was also urged to reject Clause 31(2), which proposes the creation of a Kenya Essential Veterinary Medicines List under the new Authority. Dr. Amasha argued, “We already have such a list managed under the Ministry of Agriculture by veterinary professionals. This proposed change would create unnecessary overlap, disrupt established systems, and place control in the hands of people without the necessary expertise.”
Concluding the session, Senator Mandago stated that the Committee remains committed to protecting the integrity of veterinary regulation. “Veterinary medicine cannot be lumped into a one-size-fits-all system. It is a specialised sector that supports food safety, livelihoods, and public health. We must ensure the law reflects that reality.”
The Committee is scheduled to meet with additional stakeholders in the coming weeks as part of its public participation process and subsequently table a comprehensive report with recommendations and proposed amendments to the Bill on the floor of the Senate.
Also present during the session were Senator Mariam Omar (Nominated), Vice Chair of the Committee, Senator Ledama Ole Kina (Narok), and Senator James Githuku (Lamu).