Kenya’s Maralal Camel Derby

Kenya’s Maralal Camel Derby is a signature three-day festival blending high-speed sport with the vibrant Samburu culture. In 2025 the event took place from 25–28 September as the 32nd edition, bringing together professional and amateur riders, tourists and musicians. The derby began in the early 1990s, when community leaders and local tourism promoters formalised what had been a series of seasonal camel contests into an annual festival. Since then it has steadily grown into a major cultural and sporting event. While still rooted in pastoral life, the Maralal Camel Derby now plays a dual role in preserving and celebrating Samburu heritage while driving local economic opportunity through tourism and sport. Video: Thuku Kariuki -Afrika Live Media #Africa #kenya #animals