Conservation of indigenous livestock
Practical Action
Table1: Overview of Kenya’s indigenous breeds.
Species
Breed
English equivalent
Cattle
Boran
East African Short-horned
Zebu
Ethiopian Boran
-
Giriama
Kamasia
Kamba
-
East African Short-horned
Zebu
East African Zebu
Breeders
Avai, Somali, Borana,
Boran, Tanaland,
Galla, Borena
-
Tugen
Akamba
Ukamba
Wakamba
Kavirondo
Kenyan Boran
Kikuyu
Maasai
Nandi
Sahiwal
Dromedaries
Goats
Samburu
Suk
Tuni
Rendille/Gabra
Somali
Turkana
Boran
Somali
Sheep
Maasai
Nandi
Somali
Source: DAD-IS database
East African Zebu
Improved Boran
East African Zebu
East African Zebu
East African Zebu
-
East African Zebu
-
-
Angora
Small East African goat
Black head Persian
Kenyan Samburu
Kipsigis
Luo
Red Maasai, Tanganyika red
Maasai
Luo, Luhya
Kikuyu
Maasai
Nandi
Lambi bar, Lola,
Montgomery,
Multani, Teli
Samburu
Sereneli, Serengi
Rendille, Gabra
Somali
Turkana
Galla, Somali
Galla, Modugh,
Mudugh, Deghier,
dighi yer, Degeun.
Lumbwa
Berbera Blach Head,
Blach Head Somali
Cattle
The East African Zebu is the most common local cattle breed. It shows substantial variety in
colour and shape, depending on the different communities (tribes) that rear them
Goats
The main local breeds of goats are the small east African goat and the Galla, which is kept
mostly by Somali and Borana communities.
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