The Somali camel has the highest population in Kenya and mainly inhabits Garissa, Mandera, Wajir, Moyale, Isiolo, and Tana River counties. The Somali community primarily keeps this breed. It is the largest native single-humped camel and performs well across most ASAL environments. Furthermore, it adapts to hot, dry conditions, can walk long distances, and survive without water for extended periods. Its milk and meat are highly medicinal, and special products include nyiri nyiri and camel fat.
These camels have a creamy coat with short hair, while males display a dark brown hair line from the withers to the hump. Their average height at the withers is 2 meters, abdominal girth 2.6 meters, and hump circumference 1.47 meters. Mature camels weigh about 450 kg. They produce 3 to 5 liters of milk daily, which increases if farmers milk them three times a day. Lactation lasts 1 to 1.5 years, and camels reach first calving at 4 to 5 years.
Somali camels are heavy feeders, spending 8 to 12 hours grazing depending on feed availability. Their height allows them to feed comfortably on shrubs. They offer high milk yield and mature early. However, they cannot thrive in rough terrain or rocky hillsides, and they struggle when feed is scarce.
Within the Somali breed, there are four sub-types: Hoor, Siftarr, Aidimo, and Gelab. Each differs in size, milk production, and hardiness. Hoor produces the most milk but is the least hardy, whereas Gelab is the smallest, produces the least milk, but is the hardiest.