Farmers in Northern Kenya have a reprieve after an Omani firm started buying livestock from the region amid biting drought that has killed millions of animals so far.
Al Bashayer Meat Company has set base in Lamu county where it has bought 15,400 sheep and goats and 200 bulls from farmers including those losing animals to drought.
The foreign firm is making its first export through Lamu port and third from Kenya. The first two consignments were exported through the port of Mombasa.
The firm's international trade manager Mr Jack Onyango said yesterday they have set base in Lamu because it is nearer to the port of Salalah in Oman and animals are readily available in the region.
He said Lamu port has bigger space and the animal holding grounds is also nearer.
Speaking in Lamu, Onyango noted that they have started with monthly exports and then raise them to two a month. He could not disclose the value of the consignment.
"Lamu has an advantage because the animals are readily available and it is nearer to Oman. Farmers including those faced with drought will have market. We plan to buy animals across the country in the near future," he said.
A visit to the holding ground in Hindi area located eight kilometres from the Lamu port established that the animals had undergone health inspection by teams of veterinarians from Oman and Kenya.
The foreign inspectors were headed by Omani government veterinarian Dr Shihab Albulush who said the animals to be exported must meet Omani and international health standards.
Dr Albulush explained that all the animals were male because they are meant for slaughter adding that females are left out so as to maintain reproduction levels.
"All the animals are meant for immediate slaughter in Omani. We target male animals because they are strong. The females are left out so as to maintain the reproduction levels," he explained.
According to the expert, the animals are vaccinated for various diseases and quarantined before they are herded to the ship for expoort.
Yesterday, Dr Albulush said he had certified the animals for export after they met the Omani standards of health.
Sources indicated that apart from being weak, female livestock are preferred for export because they are also susceptible to infections particularly when they give birth.
Onyango explained that Lamu governor Issa Timamy has promised to set up a livestock market where farmers in the northern region will easily sell their animals.
"We are happy with the partnership with the county government which plans to open a livestock market that will make it easier for farmers to sell their animals. Local people have an opportunity to supply hay and water for the livestock," he said.
For the current consignment, Onyango noted, the Omani firm has bought 100 tonnes of hay to feel the animals during the voyage expected to last between eight and 12 days.
