A model for good veterinary governance: overview of draft veterinary policy
Abstract
The new Kenya Constitution 2010 provides revolutionary frameworks in governance and also assures
Kenyans of various basic rights. Among the values and principles elaborated are patriotism, human
dignity, good governance, integrity, transparent, accountability and participation of the people.
These values and principles would henceforth bind Kenyan when enacting and implementing public
policy and law. The Constitution assures Kenyans of protection of human health and attainment of
the highest attainable standard of health, which includes the access to adequate food of acceptable
quality. It assures consumers of goods and services of reasonable quality and access to information
necessary for them to gain full benefit for the necessary protection of their health, safety, and economic
interests. It promotes social and economic development and the provision of proximate, easily
accessible services throughout Kenya. It also protects genetic resources and biological diversity for
the benefits of Kenyans and for posterity. The Constitution links Kenya with the rest of the world by
upholding international treaties, agreements, conventions and the general rule of international law.
The international trade policy including the framework of basic rights of countries to protect life and
health of humans, animals and plants while leveling the ground for fairness has been upheld. This
has opened the door for Kenya to adopt the best practices which have ingenuity and foundation in
international standards. The Constitution caps it all by providing for enactment of Veterinary Policy
which would institutionalize these values, principles, rights and best practices and create the path for
Kenya to enjoy economic growth, industrialization and good quality of human life as envisaged in
the Vision 2030. This Paper will elaborate, under Sub-Theme 1, the provisions of the Draft Veterinary
Policy and facilitate interrogation and enrichment of the document by participants in the conference.