Kenya’s goat herd grew 9.8% as Mutitu created more than 20 jobs

By Amara Osei

Kenya had approximately 38.4 million goats in 2024, an increase of 9.8% from the previous year, according to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS). The national herd comprised about 37.8 million meat goats and 649,528 dairy goats, KNBS data showed.

Capital FM Africa’s Oct. 30 report from Nairobi, Kenya, said goat farming is emerging as an alternative source of employment and income for young people. Opportunities extend beyond livestock rearing into milk production, meat processing, breeding and animal-feed supply.

Mutitu Goat Farm founder Patrick Wanjau said the enterprise has created more than 20 jobs. He described commercial goat farming as a way to support livelihoods while developing a wider livestock value chain.

“Goat farming creates jobs across the whole chain, not just on the farm,” Wanjau said. On-farm roles include herders, milkers and attendants. Downstream, feed producers, slaughterhouses and transporters add work to the supply chain.

What drives Mutitu Goat Farm’s revenue?

Wanjau identified milk and meat as Mutitu Goat Farm’s main revenue streams. Breeding stock offers farmers another source of income, he said.

Capital FM Africa said these products give farmers opportunities to diversify their earnings. Milk offers a potential source of regular income. Farmers can sell meat and breeding stock depending on market demand and production cycles.

Commercial farming demands more than livestock acquisition. Farmers must provide feed, veterinary care, breeding management, suitable housing and reliable markets, the report said.

Goats can adapt to a wider range of environmental conditions and browse on different vegetation, according to Capital FM Africa. Commercial producers still must invest in animal health, clean water and proper feeding systems.

That operating checklist makes planning central to Wanjau’s advice to young entrants. He said producers should understand their market, calculate costs and identify the care animals need before acquiring livestock. His sequence places commercial preparation ahead of herd expansion.

Which breeds fit Kenya’s markets?

Breed choice influences productivity and the market a farmer can target, according to Capital FM Africa. The Galla goat, indigenous to northern Kenya, is adapted to arid and semi-arid environments. Farmers value it for meat, milk, skin and manure.

Capital FM Africa said the Galla can withstand hot, dry conditions. That makes it suitable for areas where cattle production is more challenging.

Dairy breeds including Saanen, Alpine and Toggenburg are kept for higher milk production. The Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) said these breeds have been crossed with local goat ecotypes to improve their adaptation to Kenyan conditions.

The Ministry of Agriculture has identified meat goats as priority value chains in Mandera, Turkana, Marsabit, West Pokot and Baringo. The designation reflects the sector’s relevance to livestock-dependent communities in those counties, according to Capital FM Africa.

What should young farmers buy first?

Wanjau urged young people to look at goat farming as a business, not simply a way to acquire animals. “I encourage young people to look at goat farming as a business. Start by understanding your market, the costs and the care the animals need, then build steadily,” he said.

Mutitu Goat Farm’s more than 20 jobs, according to founder Patrick Wanjau, show the employment reach of commercial goat farming. Kenya’s 38.4 million-head herd gives the sector a large national base, while KNBS reported a 9.8% annual increase. The next test is whether farmers can turn that scale into durable income without underfunding feed, animal health, housing and market access.