Camel rearing changing lives in Kerio valley

Women from Lapkeiyet Self Help Group milk camels at Rimoy area in Elgeiyo Marakwet County. The high value milk is used to counter perennial hunger along the Kerio Valley. It is also believed to have medicinal value. PHOTO: KEVIN TUNOI

Kerio valley in Elgeyo/Marakwet County is a semi-arid region associated with hunger stricken and impoverished populations.

This situation is however, changing after residents embraced camel rearing.

The animal is now proving valuable in providing households with milk during the dry season when cows and goats have been driven to far off areas in search of water and pasture.

Camel rearing commonly practiced in parts of Northern Kenya is a new phenomenon in Kerio valley and the enterprise has proven to be a promising one for residents.

They now not only have food security but are benefiting from sale of camel milk which attracts a higher price compared to cow milk.

“Camels are hardy animals which thrive well in this region unlike cows and goats that require lots of pasture for maximum production,” said Raphael Cheboi, Chairman - Lapkeiyet Self Help group.

It was this self-help group that pioneered camel rearing in the region several years ago. It has since multiplied the animals to almost 100 from just five and the members’ health has also improved due to frequent consumption of meat and milk from the camels.

“When we first started, we were ridiculed by our fellow our community members because among our Keiyo sub-tribe it was unheard of to rear camels for milk. Our venture was like an insult to our culture but today, it is embraced by many,” Cheboi said.

The chairman says the group supplies more than 70 litres of milk to Eldoret town when the animals are lactating selling it at Sh100 to Sh120 per litres while a live camel goes for up to Sh80,000.

“The demand for camel milk is very high and we sometimes restrict selling it so we can have enough for our members’ consumption,” he said.

Cheboi said they have since put up a milk coolant plant to help preserve the camel milk whenever production is high.