From Five Goats to a Full Lorry: How ABF UNITED COMPANY LIMITED Is Empowering Pastoralist Women In Narok County

Kasuku David 

Taifa news 

In Kenya’s pastoralist communities, livestock is more than a source of income. It is a way of life, a measure of wealth and an important part of culture. Yet for many women, contributing to livestock production has not always meant having control over the business or the income it generates.

AtIts ABF UNITED COMPANY LIMITED, Director Zahra Rashid is working to change that by connecting pastoralist women to livestock markets, knowledge and opportunities to build sustainable businesses.

ABF United has been operating for about nine years, exporting Dorper sheep, Blackhead sheep and Gala goats to Saudi Arabia. The company sources livestock from pastoralist communities in Narok, Garissa, Mandera, Marsabit, Kajiado and Tana River.

The company has grown significantly since its early days, when it handled about 500 animals a week. Today, even during an off-peak week, it handles approximately 2,000 animals.

«“When we began we were doing around 500 livestock per week, but currently on an off-peak week we are doing around 2,000 animals.” — Zahra Rashid»

But behind those numbers is a deliberate effort to strengthen the communities supplying the livestock.

Investing in Farmers

ABF United does more than buy animals. The company trains farmers on animal health, nutrition, entrepreneurship and market requirements while also supporting vaccination programmes through its corporate social responsibility initiatives.

For Zahra, improving farmers’ knowledge is critical to maintaining the quality demanded by international markets.

«“It is only then that I can have the quality and the consistency of the livestock that is needed in the market.” — Zahra Rashid»

The company currently works with approximately 15,000 farmers, with women accounting for about 54 per cent.

Women are organised into groups that enable them to trade collectively, share profits and reinvest their earnings into livestock.

Breaking Barriers for Women

In pastoralist communities, women can face significant barriers when trying to enter the livestock business.

Cultural traditions can place livestock ownership and trading largely in the hands of men, while women may play a major role in caring for animals and managing households without having an equal say in the income generated from livestock sales.

Zahra believes women can participate in business while respecting their cultural and family structures.

«“Women can engage in business and still conform to their culture, respectful to their husbands and their fathers in their homes.” — Zahra Rashid»

From Five Animals to a Full Lorry

One of the clearest examples of the transformation comes from Narok, where ABF United worked with women who initially had little involvement in livestock trading.

The women were organised into groups, supported through a small harambee and trained on how to participate in the livestock business.

They started with just five animals.

Then came 20.

Then 50.

Eventually, the women were supplying approximately 175 to 200 animals every month—enough to fill a lorry.

«“Initially when they were beginning it was zero. They started with five just for trial. We encouraged them. They did 20. They did 50. Now they are giving us a whole lorry on monthly basis.” — Zahra Rashid»

The income generated is shared among the women, with part of the proceeds reinvested into the business.

For women unable to participate directly in livestock trading, ABF United has also supported alternative income-generating activities such as beadwork. The company provides raw materials, enabling women to make and sell traditional jewellery and potentially invest their earnings in livestock.

For Zahra, the progress represents more than increased livestock sales. It demonstrates what can happen when women receive access to markets, training and business support.

Improving Animal Health

Quality remains central to ABF United’s export business.

The company says it has vaccinated approximately 450,000 animals over two years through its CSR programme and conducted training reaching approximately 40,000 farmer-training participants across different topics.

The goal is to ensure livestock entering the export chain meet the standards required by premium international markets.

«“Quality, quantity, and consistently, most important. That is what keeps a business going.” — Zahra Rashid»

The eTIMS Challenge

Despite the opportunities in the livestock export market, Zahra says businesses and farmers continue to face challenges.

One of the concerns is the implementation of eTIMS among livestock producers.

Many pastoralists have limited access to connectivity, documentation and information about the system. Some conduct transactions mainly through cash and may not understand what eTIMS is or how to comply with its requirements.

This can create difficulties for companies purchasing livestock from producers who are unfamiliar with formal digital tax processes.

«“They don't even understand what an eTIM is. They don't understand the procedures of acquiring one. They don't even know what it is in the first place.” — Zahra Rashid»

Zahra argues that pastoralist communities need adequate sensitisation and preparation before they are expected to meet documentation requirements.

A Sector That Needs Regulation

Zahra also believes Kenya’s livestock sector requires stronger regulation, clearer policies and greater accountability.

«“This sector is not regularized. There are no proper policies. There is no law that governs this sector.” — Zahra Rashid»

She says pastoralist communities can own substantial livestock wealth while still struggling to meet basic needs because they lack access to reliable markets and information about the true economic value of their animals.

«“The money is in livestock, but someone can barely even afford a meal on the table because they don't know the value of what they have.” — Zahra Rashid»

For her, strengthening the livestock value chain is therefore not only about increasing exports but ensuring farmers receive greater economic value from the animals they already own.

Expanding the Opportunity

ABF United has expanded its work from Narok into Tana River and Garissa, with plans to reach more pastoralist communities, connect additional farmers to markets and expand its export operations over the next five years.

Zahra says the opportunity in Saudi Arabia is particularly significant.

«“The market is huge. We cannot even sustain it.” — Zahra Rashid»

But she cautions that livestock exporting requires patience, resilience and a willingness to learn.

«“It's a business that looks so tiring. It needs someone who's resilient, someone who is patient, ready to learn.” — Zahra Rashid»

Her message to women is clear: there is room for them in the livestock economy.

With access to knowledge, capital, markets and support, women can move from being largely behind-the-scenes contributors to becoming active livestock traders and entrepreneurs.

For ABF United, the future is therefore not simply about exporting more animals. It is about building stronger links between pastoralist farmers and markets, improving livestock quality, creating opportunities for women and ensuring communities benefit from the wealth they already possess.

And for Zahra, the foundation remains simple:

«“Quality, quantity, and consistently, most important. That is what keeps a business going.”»

The journey from five animals to a full lorry is more than a measure of business growth. It is a story of what can happen when pastoralist women are given an opportunity, a market and the confidence to build businesses of their own.