Government faces questions over move to declare water buffalo a food animal in Kenya

Listen to article 5 min listen Audio reading is not supported on this browser. Listen Stop Ready Thanks for listening. Continue with a related story, or tap the speaker icon on the next page to listen.

Government rolls out microchip system to track export livestock from birth to slaughter

Listen While the notice was published last year, its re-emergence this year has drawn fresh attention to the government’s livestock plans, with critics demanding answers on the need for the move, its cost-effectiveness and its possible impact on the environment.

Concerns have emerged over the government’s decision to declare the domesticated water buffalo a food animal in Kenya, with Kenyans questioning the need for the move, its economic benefits and possible environmental effects at a time when the country already relies on cattle, goats and other livestock for meat and milk. The decision was published in Gazette Notice No. 977 under the Meat Control Act (Cap. 356) by Agriculture and Livestock Development Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe on January 31, 2025. It gives the domesticated water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) recognition as a food animal under the law. “In Exercise of the powers conferred by section 2 of the Meat Control Act, the Cabinet Secretary for Agriculture and Livestock Development declares the Domesticated Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) as a food animal for purposes of the Act,” reads the notice. More To Read Government rolls out microchip system to track export livestock from birth to slaughter While the notice was published last year, its re-emergence this year has drawn fresh attention to the government’s livestock plans, with critics demanding answers on the need for the move, its cost-effectiveness and its possible impact on the environment. The renewed debate has focused on what the species would add to Kenya’s meat and dairy industry, whether it can thrive under local conditions and how its introduction would be managed. In a post on X, Kinyua Muriithi questioned whether the government had assessed the costs and environmental effects of introducing the animals and whether other options had been considered. Latest Stories UN warns of worsening humanitarian crisis as violence displaces 45,000 in Baidoa Government unveils new access to information policy to boost transparency and accountability Kilifi leaders urge dialogue to prevent family violence linked to inheritance disputes Navi Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize is a vote of confidence in a global legal order under fire “What specific problem is the introduction intended to solve? Were the cost-effectiveness and environmental impact of the species compared with those of other solutions? Who originated the idea? This reeks like a donor or NRT project to soft-launch ‘consumptive utilisation’ of wildlife. Reject!” he said. Another user, Abraham Karu824, criticised the decision, questioning why the government would prioritise declaring the animal a food source when the country faces other challenges. “Out of all the issues facing the country, the government held a full cabinet meeting just to officially declare Water Buffalo as edible! Who was sitting in office starving and begging for water buffalo steak? This government has failed in all sectors,” he said. Edited circle also questioned the need for another source of meat, citing the availability of cattle and goats. “So what’s the need for killing the water buffalo when we are shooting our cows along the North? Have we exhausted our meat sources? You mean goats, and cow supply does not meet our export and local meat consumption? Whats this obsession with useless declarations?” the user posed. The domesticated water buffalo is widely reared in countries such as India, Pakistan and Bangladesh for milk and meat. It differs from the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer), which is generally a wild animal. Currently, Kenya does not have domesticated water buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), despite the government declaring the species a food animal under the Meat Control Act in January 2025. There are two main types of domesticated water buffalo. River buffaloes are mainly kept for milk production, while swamp buffaloes are commonly associated with farm work and meat production in parts of Southeast Asia and China. Water buffalo milk contains about 7 to 8 per cent butterfat, compared with around 3 to 4 per cent in cow’s milk. This makes it useful for making cheese, yoghurt and ghee. The animals also produce lean meat that can provide protein. Supporters of water buffalo farming point to their milk and meat production, their ability to feed on rough fodder and their reported resistance to some diseases affecting cattle. However, experts argue that these potential benefits would need to be assessed against the cost of introducing the animals and their suitability for Kenya. Water availability is one of the main concerns because water buffaloes need access to water to regulate their body temperature, particularly in hot conditions. This could limit the areas suitable for rearing them, especially in dry parts of the country. Their introduction would also require measures to prevent the spread of animal diseases, establish suitable breeding programmes and assess possible effects on local ecosystems. Consumer acceptance could pose another challenge, given that most Kenyans are more familiar with beef and cow’s milk. The gazette notice itself, however, only declares the domesticated water buffalo a food animal under the Meat Control Act. It does not set out the expected costs, environmental impact or economic benefits of introducing the species. Other Topics To Read domesticated water buffalo Meat Control Act water buffalo meat water buffalo milk Kenya meat production livestock farming in Kenya Kenya Animal Genetics Resource Centre Kenya livestock sector Kenya water buffalo declaration

Top Stories Today Government faces questions over move to declare water buffalo a food animal in Kenya UN warns of worsening humanitarian crisis as violence displaces 45,000 in Baidoa Government unveils new access to information policy to boost transparency and accountability Kilifi leaders urge dialogue to prevent family violence linked to inheritance disputes Navi Pillay’s Nobel Peace Prize is a vote of confidence in a global legal order under fire Eliud Kipchoge wins Melbourne Marathon at 41, sets new course record

Sign in with Google to comment, reply, and like comments.

Receive breaking stories and important updates from The Eastleigh Voice directly on your device.