Livestock dealers in Kiambu operating without licences have been told to acquire business permits or face prosecution.
A livestock officer told Hivisasa.com on Thursday that the traders were a stumbling block to the fight against livestock diseases in the county.
Kiambu sub-county Livestock Officer Lydia Mariga said all livestock traders should seek guidance from the sub-county livestock production office on how to acquire the licences.
She said the transfer of livestock from area to another posed a threat of spreading livestock diseases.
"When a farmer wants to transport, livestock they are expected to go to the ministry to obtain livestock transfer licence," she said.
"This will show that the animals being transported re disease-free."
She said diseases like anthrax can easily be transmitted form one place to another, calling on residents to report traders involved in the trade without valid licences to authorities.
Recently, the sub-county rolled out a vaccination exercise against various livestock diseases.
The campaign targeted cattle, sheep, goats, pigs and dogs.