Firm makes maiden camel exports to Egypt

By Philip Mwakio

 A local firm, Ayyat Livestock is targeting more animal exports to Libya and other Arab countries. 

The move follows the firm’s resolve to find more markets for livestock farmers.  The firm has made its first order of 2,332 live camels that are on board for export to Egypt through the port of Mombasa.

Ayyat Livestock Manager Eias Ali said a special livestock carrier vessel, MV Taiba, sailed off from the port of Mombasa on Wednesday with camels destined for Port Said, Egypt, where the firm has orders for camel export.

“The camels exported are of quality and were sourced from some of Kenya’s best rearing regions of North Eastern, Eastern and Coast provinces,’’ he said.

He said they had also loaded 3,000 bundles of hay (animal feed) as well as 250,000 litres of water for drinking during the sea voyage from Mombasa to Port Said. The journey is expected to take 12 days. Ali said the camels for export undergo mandatory scrutiny and vaccination by the Veterinary Department at the firm’s holding ground located in Maungu, Taita Taveta County.

They are then taken to the Port of Mombasa for onward shipment. He observed that Kenya is able to meet increase in demands for livestock exports as it is self sufficient in most livestock products.  The importance of livestock to the Kenyan economy has been positioned in Vision 2030.

The livestock sub-sector accounts for about 10 per cent of the National Gross Domestic Product (GDP) translating to 30 per cent of agricultural GDP.

The sub sector employs 50 per cent of national agriculture workforce and about 90 per cent of Arid and Semi Arid Lands workforce.

 Similar exports of livestock that included cattle, goats and sheep have been done in the past and mainly destined to the tiny Indian Ocean island of Mauritius.

Hay and other livestock feed including water was loaded onto the ship which has three lower decks and two upper ones where the camels will be shipped.