Kenya’s livestock sector—valued at approximately KES 1.9 trillion—is on the cusp of major transformation following the rollout of LiveStockEx, Kenya’s first digital livestock trading platform.
According to the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, over five million households depend on livestock for their livelihood, yet the traditional market system often results in farmers losing up to 20–30 per cent of value due to brokers, animal stress, unpredictable pricing, and lack of access to finance for feedlots.
Buyers, too, have wrestled with inconsistent supply and stolen or unverified animals.
Veterinary doctors and paraprofessionals struggle with low income.
“As Kenya pushes for digital agriculture and opening new markets for livestock trade, LiveStockEx offers a model that will transform farmer livelihoods. This is more than just tech. We’re reimagining how livestock is valued, verified, and moved — profitably and sustainably,” said Murray Roos, Founder and CEO of LiveStockEx, during an interview at LiveStockEx headquarters in the United Kingdom.
LiveStockEx has introduced an easier way for farmers, buyers, veterinarians, and livestock transporters to trade profitably- using their phones.
Through the platform, farmers get direct access to markets; they don't need to travel long distances to meet buyers across Kenya or internationally, while feedlot programs get access to finance.
Buyers purchase vet-verified animals (cows, goats, pigs, sheep, donkeys, camels) and maintain a consistent supply, while vets and livestock transporters have an additional source of income.
A livestock buyer who recently tested the platform described the shift as long overdue: “LiveStockEx shows us how easy it’s going to be to do business with other people and how it will open up the entire Kenyan market, even areas we could not reach, including export markets,” he said, noting that he can now access vet-verified animals from farmers in regions he previously had no way of reaching.
LiveStockEx, available on the Play Store and App Store, digitises livestock trade; modernising one of Kenya’s most important industries.
