Kenya Livestock Breeders Association (KLBA)

The Kenya Livestock Breeders Association (KLBA) is a farmer-led organization that promotes livestock breeding and genetic improvement in Kenya. Its roots stretch back over a century, starting with early livestock recording schemes during the colonial period.

The East African Stud Book was established in 1920 in Nairobi by the Royal Agricultural Society of East Africa. It recorded pedigrees of imported animals and supported crossbreeding between exotic and local livestock. In 1939, the East Africa Milk Recording Service tracked milk production and herd performance.

In 1959, the milk program moved to the Kenya Dairy Board, funded mainly by farmers. After the East African Community collapsed in 1968, it became Kenya Milk Records. Over the years, both registration and milk recording faced financial and operational challenges.

Farmers formed the Kenya Livestock Breeders Committee in 1994 to consolidate these services. It later became KLBO and eventually KLBA. Today, the association manages livestock registration, pedigree records, and performance recording through the Kenya Stud Book and the Dairy Recording Service of Kenya. KLBA trains breeders, verifies imported pedigrees, issues registration certificates, and provides data for genetic evaluations.

By linking structured breeding with practical support, KLBA helps farmers improve herd quality, increase productivity, and strengthen livelihoods across Kenya.