Abdi Bulle, Vice Chairperson of the Garissa Butcheries Savings and Credit Cooperative Society, during the Nation Media Group Kenya Meat Expo at KICC on August 8, 2025.
In 2021, camel farmers in Garissa met and thought of pooling resources to add value to their products. Besides camel milk and meat, they started extracting oil from camel bones. Their target market? Skincare and health-conscious users.
The farmers went on to establish the Garissa Butchers Saving and Cooperative Society, aiming to aggregate the number of camels slaughtered and tap into emerging health-conscious markets.
Abdi Bulle, the vice-chair, says before the society was formed, most farmers in Garissa depended on the daily sale of camel meat, but a lack of cold storage facilities meant that most of what was unsold went to waste.
“Failure to sell slaughtered meat in a day meant that a farmer incurred losses due to lack of storage infrastructure,” he says.
On average, the farmers now slaughter 35 camels a day, and extract oil from the camel’s bone marrow and hump, a product that has proved to be a game changer.
“On a good day, we produce up to 10 litres of bone marrow oil, which is not easy to extract. From hump oil, we get about 15 litres a day,” he says.
Production has grown compared to when they started, as the herders are now realising the value of their camels.
“When we began, we were processing about three to five litres a day of bone marrow oil, while hump oil was five to six litres,” Abdi says. A litre of hump oil is sold at Sh1,700, while a litre of bone marrow oil fetches Sh2,500.
The society also buys the meat from the farmers at a higher price compared to when they would sell it in open-air markets. A kilo of camel meat without bones is bought from farmers at Sh1,000, and with bones at Sh700, according to the vice-chair. Previously, a kilo of meat sold in the open-air market fetched only Sh500.
Skincare business
Once confined to traditional use, camel oil is now gaining attention as a rare, high-value ingredient in both nutrition and skincare. Many consumers are now shifting toward unprocessed, health-conscious alternatives to conventional plant oils.
Camel bone marrow oil, once discarded as waste, is increasingly recognised for its dense nutritional and cosmetic profile. Rich in Omega-3, -6, and -9 fatty acids, as well as collagen, for supporting joint and bone health—and now, as a potent anti-ageing and hydrating element in natural skincare regimens.
Oil extracted from camel meat and bone marrow at the Nation Media Group Kenya Meat Expo, held at KICC on August 8, 2025.
Photo credit: Dennis Onsongo | Nation Media Group
Equally notable is hump oil which has high protein content and essential minerals such as iron and zinc, while remaining low in fat and cholesterol.
Garissa Butchers Saving and Cooperative Society is also expanding into food products like nyirinyiri—a spiced, preserved meat delicacy made by drying and frying camel meat in its own fat, often infused with garlic.
“Before I joined the cooperative, I used to make bone marrow oil at home, but there was no proper market for it. People didn’t understand its value, and sometimes I could go for weeks without a single sale. But since I became a member, the story has changed. The cooperative helped us find markets and even taught us how to improve packaging and ensure hygiene,” says Asha Abikar.
Interest-free loans
Through the union, the farmer also receives timely payments.
“Now, I receive regular payments, and I can even plan. It has changed my life. I can support my children better, and I feel proud that something which was once looked down on is now earning me a good income,” Asha says.
Besides access to markets, the members can also access interest-free loans. Yussuf Sigat, a member and a butcher, says he now gets loans to grow his butchery business.
“There was a time when my butchery business was almost collapsing. I couldn’t even afford to restock, and I had no one to turn to. But through the cooperative, I was able to borrow Sh100,000 without any interest. That loan helped me get back on my feet.
Today, I am stable, I make my payments on time, and I even support others in the group. It’s not just about the money—it’s the support system that comes with it,” he says.
The cooperative’s growth stems from the vision of a few members. Abdi says that the now 60-member union was started by two members acting as directors.
“They mobilised like-minded people who saw the need to come together, because unity is power; a finger cannot kill a louse,” he says.
Product diversification
The cooperative now has a processing room with advanced processors for cutting, mincing meat, and producing sausages — another product they believe will mark another milestone in their growth. They also have a packaging room.
To be a member, they pay a registration fee of Sh500, plus a monthly subscription of Sh1,000. Abdi says they managed to raise Sh100,000 as seed capital.
Although they are now able to sell their produce in neighbouring counties like Wajir, Tana River, and Lamu, climate change affects the business.
“We are experiencing a shortage of camels due to drought, and this has caused a surge in camel prices. Most of our members are forced to source from markets during auctions in Tana River and Garissa, as their supply cannot meet demand,” he says, adding that this has reduced the number of camels slaughtered daily from 50 a few years ago to the current average of 35.
