The Rendille camel is the third largest native camel breed in Kenya. It is named after the Rendille communities that inhabit the northern counties. This breed is highly adapted to extreme desert conditions and tolerates severe drought. In addition to meat and milk, the Rendille people traditionally consume camel blood to supplement their diet. Its brown coat allows the camel to withstand dry and hot environments.
Rendille camels have short hair with a coat color ranging from brown to whitish. Their average height at the withers is 1.75 meters, abdominal girth 2.36 meters, and hump circumference 1.19 meters. Mature camels weigh between 300 and 500 kg.
They produce 1–2.5 liters of milk per day, with lactation lasting 12 to 17 months. Camels reach first calving at 5 to 6 years. Rendille camels require 8–10 hours of grazing per day, which is less than Somali camels, and they perform well under poor pasture conditions and rough terrain.
While Rendille camels tolerate drought well, they have lower milk yield and mature later than some other breeds. Their resilience, moderate size, and ability to survive in harsh desert conditions make them ideal for arid environments.