Why government approved consumption of water buffaloes

The decision by Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe to legalise the consumption of water buffaloes in Kenya has sparked concerns over wildlife safety in the country.

Experts have raised questions about the January 31 Gazette notice, particularly regarding where the government plans to source the animals, given that Kenya does not currently breed domesticated water buffaloes.  

Speaking on Spice FM, Principal Secretary for Livestock Development Jonathan Mueke explained the rationale behind the move and the government's intended approach.  

The idea, he said, was inspired by President William Ruto’s state visit to India in December 2024, where Kenya sought a partnership to boost its dairy sector.

“We went to form a partnership, and PM Narendra Modi told the President, ‘If you can bring your team, we can partner and help you guys transform your dairy.’ We then went to India, which is the biggest producer of quality dairy in the world. We do about 5.4 billion litres a year, and India now has almost 300 billion litres,” Mueke explained.  

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For two weeks, the delegation from Kenya studied India’s domesticated water buffaloes, a species that plays a major role in the country’s dairy industry.

According to Mueke, the team examined the buffaloes' potential nutritional benefits, economic impact, and feasibility for introduction into the Kenyan market.  

“We learned about their meat. The meat is very lean, with half the cholesterol of cow meat. The leather is thick and of high quality. The hides are much bigger than cow hides, meaning you can fetch a higher market value for leather production,” he said.  

Beyond nutrition and leather production, Mueke says the water buffaloes will boost Kenya’s manufacturing sector, with hopes of increasing its contribution to GDP from 7.5 per cent to 15 per cent. 

He also emphasised that these animals require low maintenance, making them a cost-effective addition to the country’s agricultural sector.  

However, despite the enthusiasm for water buffalo breeding, the PS did not clarify how the government plans to acquire the animals or whether an importation strategy has been put in place.  

Globally, there are over 200 million water buffaloes, with India hosting the largest population. The species is also found in parts of Europe, Africa, and South America, thriving in wetlands, swamps, grasslands, and tropical forests.  

As the country moves toward implementing this directive, questions remain about how the government will ensure the protection of local wildlife while balancing the economic potential of water buffalo breeding.