The Problem: A Crisis of Livestock Theft
Livestock theft and cattle rustling have reached crisis levels in Kenya, particularly in Northern Kenya, Laikipia, and key Central and Eastern counties. Communities live in constant fear as heavily armed rustlers steal entire herds, causing economic ruin and human tragedy.
In Arid and Semi-Arid Land (ASAL) counties, entire villages are displaced, schools are closed, and livelihoods are shattered. In Central Kenya, high-value dairy cows are stolen from smallholder farmers, slaughtered, and ferried to urban meat markets, wiping out years of family investment.
This ongoing menace has created a permanent scare for potential investors in the expansive pastoral lands. The ASAL region, which hosts over 60% of Kenya’s beef cattle population, remains largely underutilized despite its potential, contributing only marginally to the national GDP due to insecurity.
