Despite the availability of information obtained by integrating archaeological, anthropological, historical, linguistic and genetic evidence, the origin of African cattle remains uncertain (Blench 1993). When the origin of African cattle is talked about, it becomes clear that the origin depends on the group to which the breed belongs. The original African cattle can be divided into two major categories, namely humpless (Bos taurus) and humped (Bos indicus). The former category is subdivided further into longhorn (B. taurus longifrons) and shorthorn (B. taurus brachyceros), while the latter category is subdivided into zebu proper and zebu crossbred-types. Position of the hump on the animal’s back is also used to classify the zebu proper and zebu crossbred types into cervicothoracic-humped (Sanga) and thoracic-humped stocks (Epstein 1971). The Sanga is nowadays considered a separate group of cattle. As per the current classification of African cattle, four different groups can be distinguished namely B. taurus, B. indicus, Sanga and Sanga ´ zebu types. Rege (1999) termed the latter group ‘zenga’. Additionally, there are more recent derivatives of African cattle; these have either resulted due to the close proximity of two or more indigenous populations, or from efforts to create composite commercial breeds. Rege (1999), and Rege and Tawah (1999) gave clear examples of each of these groups in Africa.
In the past, it was widely accepted that cattle were domesticated elsewhere and subsequently introduced into Africa. The cradle of the world’s domesticated cattle was thought to be in western Asia, where there is evidence that domestication took place between 8000 and 9000 years ago. It was believed that humpless longhorns were first introduced into Egypt from western Asia in approximately 5000 BC and humpless shorthorn in about 2500 BC (Epstein and Mason 1984). Epstein and Mason (1984) suggested that the various types of cattle were introduced at different times and by different routes. However, discovery of the remains of domesticated shorthorn cattle dating to approximately 5100 BC at Capéletti in Algeria (Roubet 1978) and at Uan Muhuggiag and Adra Bous in central Sahara (Smith 1980) cast doubt on the theory that cattle were domesticated before being introduced into Africa. It is now clear that shorthorn cattle were present in North Africa for several hundreds of years before the period given by Epstein and Mason (1984). Historically, humpless shorthorn cattle were found in almost all types of ecological zone with populations being recorded in Sudan, central Tanzania and the Mount Elgon area of Kenya. Rock paintings, provide evidence that humpless shorthorn cattle were found 2000 years ago in the Mount Elgon area of Kenya (Payne 1970). Recently, genetic data have been found to support the hypothesis of an African centre of domestication (Bradley et al. 1996).
Semitic tribes introduced humped cattle into Africa from Arabia and Asia, in two different time periods. First, in around 1500 BC, long-horned zebu cattle were introduced; these supposedly met humpless longhorn cattle in Ethiopia and Somalia, and crossed to produce the cervico-thoracic humped cattle, also known as Sangas. The Sanga later spread into central and southern Africa. Secondly, in around 670 AD, short-horned zebu cattle were introduced via Ethiopia and Somalia (Epstein 1971). This second introduction, either led to a major replacement of Sanga cattle from eastern Africa, or to cross-breeding of this zebu population with the already existing Sanga to result in a Sanga × zebu type (zenga). Excavations in Kenya have shown that the Small and Large East African zebu breeds were multitudinous in parts of the Rift Valley by AD 1400 to AD 1500 (Posnansky 1962, cited in Payne 1970). The zebu cattle spread further westwards and southwards to become the dominant cattle within the area demarcated by latitude 20°N in the north (northern Sudan), the western rain forest barrier in the west and the river Zambezi, latitude 15°S in the south (Epstein 1971).
The zebu breed is represented by some 75 breeds in Africa, making it the largest single cattle type (Rege 1999). Approximately 61 of these zebu breeds are found in eastern Africa and neighbouring countries in southern-central Africa, while the rest are found in West Africa. Faulkner and Epstein (1957) coined the term ‘East African Zebu’, to embrace the substantial variation in the morphology of the shorthorn zebu of eastern and southern Africa. In this discussion, for reasons of simplicity, East African zebu cattle breeds have been divided into two groups, those found only in Kenya (Kenyan zebu cattle) and those found in the other East African countries (East African zebu cattle).
The term ‘East African Zebu’ is used to describe all the ‘Shorthorn Zebu’ of eastern and southern Africa (Rege and Tawah 1999). Based on their body sizes, the East African zebu breeds can be divided into two subgroups, the ‘Small’ and the ‘Large’. The term ‘Small East African Zebu’ was suggested to portray the small frame of these animals and to avoid confusion with other types of East African cattle (Mason and Maule 1960). The Small East African zebu breeds are the majority, being represented by 49 breeds. The Large East African zebu is represented by 13 breeds, which are restricted to the relatively drier parts of Sudan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda. The isolations imposed by tribal boundaries, whether physical and/or cultural, and those due to ecological restrictions are partially responsible for the genetic differentiation leading to the existence of different breeds and strains (Rege and Tawah 1999). However, variations in nomenclature associated with different tribes and ecologies do not, in themselves, imply genetic differences. For this reason, breeds or strains that have a common ancestry can be classified further, according to whether or not they occupy the same geographical area (e.g. a country) and/or a defined ecological zone within one or more countries. Rege and Tawah (1999) referred to these two classifications as clusters and groups, respectively.
Tables 1 and 2 summarise the classification, distribution and characteristics of some of the Large and Small East African zebus. Variation in the number of indigenous zebu cattle breeds or strains found in each of the East African countries is clearly illustrated.
Table 1. Classification, distribution and characteristics of some of the Large East African Zebus.
Group |
Breed/strain1 |
Country and areas within country |
Morphological characteristics |
Boran |
Ethiopian Boran (Borana) |
Ethiopia: Borana plateau from the Liban plateau to the extreme south |
Medium size; deep-chested and long-legged; coat colour is white, light grey, or fawn with black or dark brown shading on the neck, head, shoulders and hindquarter; horns are thick at the base, short and erect; humps is well developed and hangs over to one side in males; udder is well developed in females |
Somali Boran (Avai)1 |
Somalia: western and Jubaland of the southern part |
Larger than the Ethiopian Boran; short-legged; coat colour is white with black points; skin is pigmented; horns are smaller than those of the Ethiopian Boran | |
Karamajong Zebu |
Jie and Karamajong |
Uganda: north-eastern part |
Large breed; major coat colours are red, roan, grey and white; horns vary in length and shape; hump is large and dome-shaped; dewlap, umbilical fold and sheath are larger in Karamajong type than in the Toposa; udder is moderately well developed |
Toposa |
Sudan: south-eastern part |
||
Sudanese Zebu |
Kenana (Rufáai El Hoi, Rufáai El Sherik, Fung, Gezira and White Nile) |
Sudan: east of the confluence of the Blue and White Niles, south-east to the Ethiopian border, and the western banks of the Blue Nile to southern Khartoum |
Medium to large cattle; coat colour is typically blue-grey to white with black shadings on the head, neck hump, hindquarters and legs; horns are black; hump is prominent in males and in most cases cervico-thoracic in position; large dewlap and sheath; udder is well developed |
Kenana (Rufáai El Hoi, Rufáai El Sherik, Fung, Gezira and White Nile) |
Sudan: east of the confluence of the Blue and White Niles, south-east to the Ethiopian border, and the western banks of the Blue Nile to southern Khartoum |
Medium to large cattle; coat colour is usually dark red, but may also be lighter red with white patches; hump is mostly in a thoracic position, but may be cervico-thoracic; dewlap is of moderate size; udder is well developed | |
Baggara (Western Baggara) |
Sudan: west, central and southern Darfur, central and southern Kordofan, Nuba Mountains and Sulien Baggara |
Medium size; varied coat colour, horn shape and conformation; cattle in Darfur have the largest horns; hump is large in males; dewlap is well developed | |
Murle |
Sudan: Pibor Post district of the Upper Nile province |
Fairly long bodies with moderate depth; variability in coat colour (red, black, white, grey, dun and patterns of red and black); horns are of medium length and have a tendency to grow inwards and forwards at the tips; dewlap is of moderate size, the umbilical fold is poorly developed and the prepuce is seldom pendulous |
Table 2. Classification, distribution and characteristics of some of the Small East African Zebus.
Group |
Breed/strain1 |
Country and areas within country |
Morphological characteristics |
Abyssinian Shorthorned Zebu (Ethiopian Highland Zebu) |
Jem-Jem (Black Highland cattle) |
Ethiopia: northern part of Sidamo, Bale high lands and areas surrounding Bale, including Yirga-Alem in Sidamo |
Small size with a compact body and slender limbs; coat colour is black, black with a white face, or white patches on a mainly black background |
Jijiga |
Ethiopia: Jijiga area of Somali Region |
Small size; coat colours vary but the major ones include chestnut, black, white and red; horns are short and point sideways or downwards in most cases; hump is small but prominent; udder is small to moderate | |
Arsi (Arusi and Arussi) |
Ethiopia: highlands of Arsi, Bale, Harar, Shoa and Sidamo |
Small, compact and well proportioned; coat colour is variable, but includes red, black, roan, white, grey and various colour combinations; horns are small and short, and usually crescent-shaped; hump is of medium size; dewlap is long and thin | |
Harar |
Ethiopia: eastern and western Hararghe plateaux |
Small size; common coat colours include black, roan and red; horns are short and thick; dewlap is well developed | |
Bale |
Ethiopia: high plateaux of Bale zone, in areas adjacent to the habitat |
Small size; coat colour is generally black, chestnut, white or roan; horns are short to medium; hump is prominent | |
Smada |
Ethiopia: South Gonder, north-western Ethiopia between the bend of the Abay River to the south and Mount Guna to the north |
Small size; coat colour is mainly black but other colours and combinations, e.g. red, roan, or black and white also occur; horns are short to moderate in length; hump is small to medium in size | |
Adwa |
Ethiopia: Adwa in the central zone of Tigray Region |
Small size; major coat colours are red, chestnut, black, roan and white | |
Hammer |
Ethiopia: Hammer area of South Omo |
Medium to large size; coat colour is mainly white or grey, but chestnut and roan animals are not uncommon; horns are short to medium; hump is prominent | |
Mursi |
Ethiopia: South Omo in the Mursi area |
Larger than the others in this group; coat colours include grey, white, black, chestnut, roan, pied with spots and striped; horns are big and usually curved inwards; hump is prominent and well developed | |
Goffa (Goffa Dwarf) |
Ethiopia: Goffa area around Sawla |
Smaller than the others in this group; coat colour is mainly red; horns are small to medium; hump is small | |
Guraghe |
Ethiopia: Guraghe and Hadiya areas |
Small size; coat colour is usually red, chestnut or roan | |
Ambo |
Ethiopia: western Shewa around Ambo, Dandi, Addis Alem and Holetta |
Similar to the Guraghe but is larger and looks more compact | |
Ogaden |
Ethiopia: Ogaden area of Somalia Region and bordering eastern Hararghe |
Small size; horns are short; hump is well developed; dewlap is large | |
Cluster of southern Sudan and vicinity |
Lugware (Bahu, Lagware and Lugwaret) |
Democratic Republic of Congo: west of Aru in the Kibali-Ituri district, in the north-eastern part |
Small size, hardy and fine-boned; coat colours are black and white, grey, and brown and white; pigmented skin; horns are short and grow sideways and upwards in a crescent shape; hump is large and tends to hang over to one side at the rear; dewlap is moderate in size while the umbilical fold is very small |
Mongalla (Didinga, Latuka, Bari, Southern Sudan Hill Zebu and South-Eastern Hill Zebu) |
Sudan: around Mongalla and Torit of the eastern part of Equatoria Province. |
Smallest of all the East African zebu types; coat colour ranges from dun, grey and cream to red and black; horns are short and curve slightly inwards at the tips; hump is cervico-thoracic to thoracic in position; dewlap and umbilical fold are not well developed | |
Nkedi (Bukedi, Lango, Eastern Province Zebu, Uganda Zebu) |
Uganda: north-eastern part in the Pallisa, Iganga, Kamuli and Tororo areas. |
Small size; no dominant coat colour but black, black and white, brown, brown and white and a ‘dalmation’ pattern are common; horns are short and lyre-shaped; hump is well developed with a varying posterior overhang; dewlap is of moderate size | |
Nuba Mountain Zebu (Kaolib) |
Sudan: southern Kordofan. |
Extremely small in size (dwarf or pigmy cattle); phenotypically similar to the Mongalla cattle | |
Somali group |
Gasara (Abgal and Aria) |
Somalia: central and northern parts |
Small size; coat colour is leaden grey, dark grey, dark red, pied or fawn with a white face or a face possessing a white blaze; horns are short and thin but polled animals have also been reported; hump is very pronounced: dewlap and sheath are less developed |
Garre (Dauara, Gerra and Gherra) |
Somali: middle and upper Wabe Shebeli area of the southern part |
Larger than the Gasara cattle; coat colour is dark red, often with distinct spots; horns are short and thin but polled animals are also found; hump is small; dewlap and sheath are well developed | |
North Somali Zebu |
|||
Western |
Somalia: Borama-Hargesia area of the North-West Province, bordering Jijiga on the Ethiopian side of the border |
Size is small and variable; coat colour is also variable, roan and spotted being quite common; horns are lyre-shaped; hump is small | |
Eastern |
Somalia: the Burao area on the eastern side of the north-east province |
Smaller than the western type | |
Baherie (Arab, Bahari, Berbera and Aden) |
Eritrea: coast of Massawa Region in the western part |
Small size; coat colour is variable; size of horns is variable but polled animals also occur; hump is small | |
The Teso group |
Kyoga |
Uganda: Lango and Kaberamaido areas |
Larger than the Nkedi; has deeper chest and shorter legs; forehead is broad and ears are pendulous |
Usuk |
Uganda: north-east and North Teso areas adjacent to the Karamoja |
Larger than the Nkedi | |
Serere |
Uganda: South Teso around the shores of Lake Kyoga |
Larger than the Nkedi; horns are short and thick at the base but animals with long and thin horns are also found; hump is smaller than that of the Nkedi and inconspicuous in cows | |
Tanganyika Shorthorn group |
Iringa Red |
Tanzania: Singida Region of the central part |
|
Maasai Grey |
Tanzania: Moshi, Upase and Usambara areas of the northern part |
Size varies for example the Chagga is small sized and has been characterised as dwarfed, light-boned and weedy; coat colour varies—the Iringa Red is red-coloured; horns are small but can be long and upturned; hump is well developed; dewlap and umbilical fold are moderate in size | |
Ugogo Grey |
Tanzania: Dodoma area in the central part |
||
Mkalama Dun |
Tanzania: Singida Region of the central part |
||
Singida White |
Tanzania: Singida Region of the central part |
||
Pare |
Tanzania: Singida Region of the central part |
||
Tarime (Shashi) |
Tanzania: Musoma area of the Mara Region |
||
Chagga |
Tanzania: Moshi, Upase and Usambara areas of the northern part |
||
Zanzibar group |
Zanzibar Zebu |
Zanzibar and Pemba Islands |
Varied in size and coat colour; smaller than the mainland types of Small East African Zebus; hump is well developed and falls over on one side |
Angoni group |
Angoni (Angone) |
Zambia: between Mporokoso and Petanke to the west, and the borders with Mozambique and Tanzania to the east |
Medium sized; coat colour is variable; skin is thin, loose and pigmented; horns are short and stout but cattle possessing lyre-shaped horns are also found; hump is thoracic in position and well developed; dewlap is also well developed |
Malawi Zebu |
Malawi: central and southern parts |
Relatively small in size; coat colour is variable—the predominant whole colours being black and red; horns are short and wide at the base but lyre-shaped horns and polled animals are also found; hump is more cervico-thoracic in position; udder is well shaped but the teats are small | |
Angonia (Angone) |
Mozambique: north of the Zambezi River, in the plateau of Tete in Tete District, and in a small area of Angonia to the extreme north-east of Malawi |
Small sizes: coat colour is variable; horns are short and stout and polled animals are also found; hump is in the thoracic position and well developed | |
Madagascar group |
Madagascar Zebu |
Madagascar |
Varied in size and coat colour; skin is pigmented; horns are of medium length and curve upwards, outwards and forwards; hump is thoracic in position, well developed and conical in shape; udder and teats are small and not well developed in females |
Baria |
Madagascar: western region (Plateau de Bemaraha) |
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However, a small number of breeds or strains in a particular country does not necessarily mean that there is a deficiency of indigenous breeds or strains in that country. Similarly, a large number does not indicate a surplus of indigenous cattle breeds or strains. The numbers may partially reflect inter-country differences in the availability of information (both phenotypic and genetic) on diversity in indigenous livestock populations. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), as the number of indigenous cattle breeds is unknown, a working estimate of 100–150 breeds is normally used (Rege 1998).
For some of these breeds/strains, there are data on their general performance (Table 3). For most characteristics a range of values is given, indicating that the variation in these characteristics within each group, breed or strain is large. This may indicate immense potential for genetic improvement through selection. Few breeds/strains (e.g. Ethiopian Boran, Butana, Nkedi and Kenana) have been characterised systematically. Breeding of these breeds/strains is still mainly done by their traditional owners and therefore, there are no well-organised breed improvement programmes.
Table 3. Performance characteristics of some representative East African zebu breeds/strains.
Group and breed/ strain |
Birth weight (kg) |
Age at first calving (mo.) |
Lactation milk yield range (kg) |
Milk fat (%) |
Calving interval (mo.) |
Mature body weight (kg) |
Wither height at maturity (cm) | |||
Male |
Female |
Male |
Female |
Male |
Female | |||||
Ethiopian Boran |
25 |
23 |
36–52 |
400–850 |
4.1–6.8 |
11–14 |
300–385 |
300–350 |
118–147 |
115–127 |
Karamajong |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
– |
320–490 |
300–410 |
– |
– |
Abyssinian Shorthorned Zebu |
– |
– |
– |
450–700 |
6.5 |
– |
250–350 |
200–280 |
113–117 |
107–113 |
Kenana |
24 |
22 |
24–54 |
500–2000 |
4.7–5.5 |
12–24 |
400–610 |
300–435 |
132–148 |
123–139 |
Nkedi |
19 |
18 |
25–61 |
300–1100 |
4.7–7.1 |
11–14 |
240–450 |
270–325 |
102–121 |
99–107 |
Tanganyika Shorthorn |
– |
– |
36–42 |
300–800 |
4.9 |
11–13 |
200–350 |
180–250 |
109–119 |
104–114 |
In Kenya, all indigenous cattle are of the shorthorn, thoracic humped zebu type and are found throughout the country. Their wide distribution over diverse ecological zones implies that over the years, they have developed adaptive characteristics because of natural selection under different environmental conditions. The Sahiwal breed has been accepted as an indigenous breed, but is excluded in the following discussion. The Sahiwal was imported into Kenya in two phases: in 1939, 3 bulls were bought from the Pusa herds of India; and in 1962, 60 bulls and 12 cows were imported from Pakistan to form the national Sahiwal stud (Kimenye 1978; Maule 1990). Apart from the Boran, of which three breeds/strains can be distinguished (the improved Kenyan Boran, the unimproved Boran (Borana) and the Orma Boran), the remainder of the indigenous cattle are classified as Small East African zebus.
The various breeds/strains are often named after the tribes that breed them:
This is the largest of the zebu breeds/strains found in Kenya. There are three strains; between areas, these differ in size and type. Oromo pastoralists migrating from southern Ethiopia introduced the Orma Boran into Kenya; it is probably the smallest representative of this group. Its coat colour is white or fawn, and the skin is not pigmented. The unimproved Boran (Borana) is smaller and lighter than the improved Kenyan Boran. Mature body weight ranges from 255 to 395 kg in males and from 250 to 355 kg in females. The improved Kenyan Boran originated from Borana, Somali Boran and Orma Boran that were bought by European ranchers from central Kenya in the early 20th century. The ranchers bred and selected these animals mainly for beef production (Mason and Maule 1960). Mature body weight ranges from 550 to 850 kg in males and from 400 to 550 kg in females. Some Kenyan Borans are also found in Tanzania and Zambia, and have been exported to Australia and the USA. The improved Kenyan Boran has similar morphological attributes to the other Boran types, but is typically characterised by a straight top line and well-developed hindquarters. Usually the coat colour is white with black spots, but coat colours ranging from brown to red are also found.
This zebu breed is associated with the Kikuyu ethnic group that predominates in the central part of Kenya, an area characterised by high altitudes. The climatic conditions in this area are suitable for the purebred exotic European breeds and their crosses. As a result, since the 1930s, the Kikuyu Zebu has suffered the impact of upgrading with European cattle (Rege and Tawah 1999). The breed is neglected, and is listed among those that are endangered and at risk of extinction.
In this group, four different strains can be distinguished, depending on which ethnic group owns them. The Kamba inhabit lowlands of the Eastern Province, while the Taita/Taveta, Giriama and Duruma, inhabit the Coast Province. Geographically, the Duruma Zebu, Giriama Zebu and Taita/Taveta Zebu live in very close proximity because they inhabit the neighbouring districts of Kwale, Kilifi and Taita Taveta. Similarly, the Kamba Zebu live in close proximity to the Taita/Taveta Zebu because the Kamba ethnic group inhabits districts that neighbour the Taita Taveta District. Therefore, interbreeding may have occurred between these cattle populations and hence their classification as Lowland or Coastal Zebu.
Coat colour in Lowland or Coastal Zebu varies and may be black, red, fawn or grey. There are also wide variations in horn shape and hump size. Some of the cattle are polled. The hump may sometimes be in a cervico-thoracic position. The dewlap is pendulous. Body weight of an adult Taita/Taveta Zebu ranges from 194 to 405 kg in males and from 125 to 360 kg in females, while height at the withers ranges from 90 to 130 cm in males and from 94 to 122 cm in females.
The Zebu belong to the Maasai tribes, who inhabit southern Kenya and northern Tanzania. The Maasai have a long history of raiding and fighting, especially with the Nandis and Samburus; therefore, Nandi and Samburu stock influence the Maasai cattle. The Maasai Zebu is generally larger than other Small East African Zebu types and is very varied in coat colour and conformation. Body weight of an adult Maasai Zebu ranges from 300 to 445 kg in males and from 275 to 385 kg in females; height at the withers ranges from 118 to 140 cm in males and from 110 to 135 cm in females. The Samburu herds, like those of the Maasai, are of very mixed origin. This is a reflection of the traditional and continuing raids, and counter-raids among these pastoral communities (Rege and Tawah 1999). The Kamasia/Samburu Zebu is sometimes included in the same category as the Maasai Zebu (Payne and Hodges 1997).
Luo and Luhya ethnic groups own the Winam or Kavirondo Zebu, which inhabit the neighbouring Nyanza and Western provinces, on the shores of Lake Victoria. There is a wide variation in coat colour; however the most frequent coat colours are black, white or black-and-white. There are also variations in size of the horns and hump. Wither height is in the ranges of 95–132 cm in mature males and 94–125 cm in mature females. Mature body weight ranges from 215 to 419 kg in males and from 195 to 365 kg in females.
These cattle are found among the Nandi ethnic group inhabiting western Kenya, north east of Kavirondo. The Nandi have a long history of cattle raiding and fighting, especially with the Maasai, and therefore their cattle are influenced by the Maasai stock. Nandi Zebu are small, fine-boned, dairy-type of cattle with varying coat markings and patterns (including black and red, fawn, white and grey, and a mixture of these colours). In the majority of the animals, the hump is thoracic in position; it varies in size but is large, rounded from front to back and hangs backwards in bulls. The udder is moderately well developed with rather small teats that are placed close together. Wither height ranges from 118 to 122 cm in a mature male and from 110 to 119 cm in a mature female; mature body weights of males range from 215 to 420 kg and of females from 200 to 320 kg.
The Teso Zebu has similar characteristics to the Teso group shown in Table 2 and is associated with the Teso ethnic group inhabiting the Busia District, north of Lake Victoria. The Turkana Zebu is considered a strain of the Karamajong Zebu that has been associated with the Turkana people of Kenya. The morphological characteristics of this zebu are similar to those described earlier for the Karamajong Zebu. The Watende Zebu is associated with the Watende/Kuria tribes inhabiting an area south of the Kavirondo Gulf of Lake Victoria (Kuria District). Their coat colour is usually black but brown animals are also found. They are relatively deep-bodied, have a small hump and have moderately thick horns. The breed has been interbred indiscriminately with neighbouring breeds/strains. As is the case with the Kikuyu Zebu, it is listed among the breeds/ strains that are endangered and at risk of extinction (Rege and Tawah 1999).
From the foregoing, it is evident that more information on breeds, performance characteristics and classification of Kenyan zebu cattle is required before unique breeds/strains and individuals of outstanding genetic merit can be identified from the diverse gene pool. The above classification of Kenyan zebu cattle, based on tribe or geographical region, is inaccurate, thus, making implementation of rational conservation and utilisation strategies difficult. As will be seen in Chapter 4, molecular studies indicate that Kenyan zebu cattle can be separated into three groups irrespective of tribe and region, namely:
A classification based on objective criteria, such as genetic distinctiveness, will facilitate development of sustainable genetic improvement programmes that take into account improved productivity and conservation of genetic diversity. Apart from the programme for improvement of the Kenyan Boran, there are no programmes for the improvement of Kenyan zebu cattle.
Boran Zebu
Duruma Zebu
Duruma Zebu
Giriama Zebu
Giriama Zebu
Kamba Zebu
Kamba Zebu
Taita/Taveta Zebu
Taita/Taveta Zebu
Maasai Zebu
Orma Boran Zebu
Orma Boran Zebu
