Sheep
Ovis aries
Domesticated sheep raised in Kenya primarily for meat (mutton/lamb), with wool production a secondary consideration for most local breeds.
Species
Ovine
Family
Bovidae
Climate requirements
Wide tolerance, from arid rangelands to cooler highland pasture (1000-2500m); hair-sheep breeds common in hot lowland/rangeland areas, wool breeds better suited to cooler highlands.
Husbandry guide
Graze or feed on pasture/crop residues supplemented with mineral licks; provide a simple, dry, well-ventilated shelter at night to protect against predators and weather. Deworm and vaccinate (enterotoxaemia, PPR where present) on a routine schedule, and practice controlled/rotational grazing to manage parasite burden and pasture quality.
Economic importance
An important meat and cultural-ceremonial livestock asset across pastoralist and mixed-farming communities, valued for its relatively fast turnover and resilience compared with cattle in drought-prone rangeland areas.
Breeds
Dorper
A hardy South African hair-sheep breed (no wool shearing needed), fast-growing and well suited to Kenyan rangeland conditions, bred primarily for meat.
Rapid growth rate and good carcass quality; ewes are prolific and can lamb more than once every 12 months under good management.
Blackhead Persian
Primary uses: Meat, Milk. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Corriedale
Primary uses: Meat, Milk, Skins/Hides, Wool. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
East African Long-tailed
Primary uses: Meat, Milk. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Hampshire
Primary uses: Meat, Skins/Hides. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Kenian Samburu
Primary uses: Meat, Milk, Savings/Security, Skins/Hides. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Kipsigis
Primary uses: Meat, Milk, Savings/Security, Skins/Hides. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Luo
Primary uses: Meat, Milk, Savings/Security, Skins/Hides. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Masai
Primary uses: Meat, Milk. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Merino
Primary uses: Meat, Skins/Hides, Wool. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Nandi
Primary uses: Meat, Milk, Savings/Security, Skins/Hides. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Red Maasai
Primary uses: Crossbreeding, Meat, Milk, Savings/Security, Skins/Hides. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Romney Marsh
Primary uses: Meat, Skins/Hides, Wool. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Small East Africa Sheep
Primary uses: Meat, Milk, Savings/Security, Skins/Hides. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Somali
Primary uses: Meat, Milk, Savings/Security, Skins/Hides. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
South Down
FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Suffolk
Primary uses: Meat. FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.
Sussex
FAO DAD-IS conservation risk status (Kenya): Unknown.