NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 30— Goat farming is emerging as an alternative source of employment and income for young people in Kenya, with opportunities extending beyond livestock rearing to milk production, meat processing, breeding and animal feed supply.

Businessman Patrick Wanjau, founder of Mutitu Goat Farm, says the enterprise has created more than 20 jobs, demonstrating the potential of commercial goat farming to support livelihoods while developing a wider livestock value chain.

“Goat farming creates jobs across the whole chain, not just on the farm,” Wanjau says.

“You have herders, milkers and attendants on the farm, then feed producers, slaughterhouses and transporters further down the chain.”

Kenya had approximately 38.4 million goats in 2024, representing a 9.8 per cent increase 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, highlighting the scale of the livestock sector and the opportunities available in both meat and dairy production.

At Mutitu Goat Farm, Wanjau identifies milk and meat as the main revenue streams, with breeding stock offering an additional source of income.

“The main revenue streams are milk and meat. Farmers can also earn from breeding stock,” he says.

The different products offer farmers opportunities to diversify their earnings, with milk providing a potential source of regular income while meat and breeding animals can be sold depending on market demand and production cycles.

However, turning goat farming into a profitable enterprise requires more than acquiring livestock.

Feed availability, veterinary care, breeding management, suitable housing and reliable markets remain important considerations for farmers entering the business.

Although goats can adapt to a wider range of environmental conditions and browse on different vegetation, commercial production still requires investment in animal health, clean water and proper feeding systems.

Breed selection critical to productivity
The choice of breed also influences productivity and the type of market a farmer can target.

The Galla goat, indigenous to northern Kenya, is adapted to arid and semi-arid environments and is valued for its meat, milk, skin and manure.
Its ability to withstand hot and dry conditions makes it suitable for areas where cattle production can be more challenging.

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

The Ministry of Agriculture has also identified meat goats as priority value chains in counties including Mandera, Turkana, Marsabit, West Pokot and Baringo, reflecting the sector’s relevance to livestock-dependent communities.

For young people considering the enterprise, Wanjau says understanding the market and production costs should come before investing in 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 says.