Government unveils cattle tracking gadget

By Kenan Miruka

The Government has embarked on a pilot project for a cow-tracking device to help in recovery of stolen cattle in rustling prone areas.

The director of animal production Julius Kiptarus said the device dubbed Radio Frequency Identification Device (RFID) is expected to curb the perennial problem affecting farmers.

Speaking at Kineni in Nyamira County, Mr Kiptarus said the pilot project will start in Pokot, Samburu and Turkana before being introduced to other regions.

The device will be fitted in a cow’s rectum and connected to the owner’s mobile phone. The owner will be able to monitor the animal’s movement.

The cows will be fed on a reticular bolus containing a RFID microchip, which is coated with very hard ceramic. The bolus has neither moving parts nor a battery, is intact, safe and thus does not react with stomach acids and enzymes. Nyamira District Livestock Production Officer Edward Ondigi said cattle rustling had affected dairy farming in the area.