A case for a national livestock census in Kenya

The reasons enumerated here are not exhaustive and those left out are not in any way less significant. They are just to show that the livestock population figures should be interpreted with caution. Nevertheless, the KBS livestock figures are a step forward in improving livestock production in Kenya.

as they present official figures that can be referred to. But wait! How accurate are they? There has been concern regarding the accuracy of these figures.

 

 

	Exotic Cattle	Indegenous Cattle	Sheep	Goats	Camels	Donkeys
Kenya	3,355,407	14,112,367	17,129,606	27,740,153	2,971,111	1,832,519
Nairobi	25,536	29,010	34,717	46,837	20	12,824
Central	800,227	325,678	664,237	531,209	231	35,516
Coast	74,119	74,119	885,846	467,439	1,570,728	51,045
Eastern	373,307	1,886,854	1,890,898	4,729,057	248,634	304,249
North Eastern	80,422	2,694,786	4,264,155	7,886,586	1,700,893	382,345
Nyanza	221,670	1,527,000	495,055	961,269	59	60,793
Rift Valley	1,560,222	5,919,585	9,079,380	11,750,521	968,192	988,647
Western	219,904	843,608	233,725	263,946	2,037	16,229

Livestock population: Kenya Population Census 2009

Before delving into the accuracy, one has to accept that these figures are official. The only way to corroborate or challenge these figures is for the Ministry of Livestock Development to carry out a livestock census given that these figures inform policy. Twenty two years is a long time and projections can no longer be relied upon. A national livestock census is long overdue.

Various grounds have been advanced to challenge the accuracy of the livestock population figures. The arguments are varied, some of which are valid though not verified. Among the grounds for dispute are:

1. Culturally, many communities in Kenya are not inclined to disclose the number of animals they posses for fear of losing them. The census clerks did not therefore carry out head counts to validate obtained figures.
2. All livestock age groups were not taken into consideration. For example, in obtaining the number of chicken, it was common to give the number of adult and leaving out the chicks. The same applied to other livestock categories.
3. Not all livestock categories were considered. Just the common farm animals like cattle, sheep and goats were counted. Other not so common but equally important livestock, for example pigs, horses, other poultry, emerging livestock, ostrich, rabbits and others were left out.
4. Various aspects to do with economics of livestock production were overlooked. The infrastructure and livestock support systems need to be taken into account.