By Benadeta Mwaura - Reporter
November, 18 2025 - In my line of duty, I have been exploring all across this beautiful country, from the dusty plains in the north to the greener pastures in between, meeting people, hearing their stories, and being invited, again and again, into their homes and lives. It’s immersive, humbling, and always surprising.
For years, I’ve watched pastoralist communities: Maasai, Rendille, Somali, Samburu, and more,and one thing has always intrigued me. I’ve tasted raw blood (as is custom in some communities), I’ve learned how to cook intestines mixed with blood(munono) as its known in the Maasai community, and I’ve tried many delicacies. But camel milk? That, I had never dared.
I would watch herders milk their camels, clean the milk, pour it into gourds, and drink, but I never took more than a curious glance. This time was different.
How It Started
On a trip to a remote area, I casually mentioned that I had always wanted to try camel milk. My boss, whom I now count as a friend, smiled and surprised me: he gave me three liters of fresh camel milk. My first thought: Do I really want this? The myths were already buzzing in my head.
Some said it would upset my stomach. Others warned I might have diarrhea. A few claimed it had “detox powers,” but was too strong for someone on the move. I was told to wait, let the milk chill, and drink it in a calm place where I could… well, monitor the consequences.
So I waited, letting the milk cool in a shady spot. But fate had another plan. As I explored nearby, I stumbled on a group of camel herders milking their animals under the hot sun. They offered me a cup, raw. I hesitated. A few sips, a pause. Then I took a full, deliberate mouthful.
The First Taste and What Followed
Instantly, I noticed something different. It wasn’t just milk: it felt richer, smoother, somehow more alive than any milk I’d tasted. Nutritious, yes, but also comforting, with a subtle creaminess that stayed on my tongue. All the while, my mind was racing. What if I get sick? What if the myths are true? But as I listened, not to the rumors, but to my body, nothing went wrong. No cramp, no sudden stomach revolt.
By evening, however, things shifted. My belly began to feel… cleansed. As though the milk had gently swept through, scrubbing and releasing. I felt light in a way I can only describe as detoxed. The next morning brought a quiet, surprising calm. That heavy tension in my gut had lifted. It was like I’d awakened renewed, as if some herbal potion had worked overnight, easing and restoring.
Why It Might Work and What Science Says About Camel Milk
I wasn’t just imagining things. Turns out, there’s solid science behind many of the claims and myths around camel milk. Here’s what studies and research have found and that matches parts of what I felt As I sipped the camel milk for the first time, I began to notice why it had such a reputation among pastoralist communities.
Beyond the smooth, creamy taste, it is incredibly rich in nutrients. Camel milk has a unique protein structure that is simpler and easier to digest than cow’s milk, making it gentle on the stomach.
It is also packed with vitamin C, often several times higher than cow’s milk, and contains important minerals like iron, zinc, and calcium, along with trace elements in forms the body can easily absorb. No wonder it felt nourishing from the very first sip. But the benefits don’t stop at nutrition. Camel milk is also a natural immune booster. It contains powerful compounds like lactoferrin, lysozyme, and immunoglobulins that help fight bacteria, viruses, and other pathogens.
Studies show it has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects too, which help reduce oxidative stress, a key factor in many chronic illnesses. Drinking it, I could almost feel my body responding, quietly thanking me for the gift of this age-old remedy. What fascinated me even more was its medicinal potential.
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Camel milk contains insulin-like proteins that may survive digestion and help regulate blood sugar. Research from both human and animal studies suggests it can improve glucose control for people with diabetes. Some studies even hint that it can modulate the immune system, offering possible support for individuals with autoimmune conditions.
For something so humble, its benefits felt profound. And for those with sensitive stomachs, camel milk is surprisingly gentle. It is naturally low in β-lactoglobulin, a common allergen in cow’s milk. This makes it an ideal alternative for people who are allergic or intolerant to cow’s milk, allowing them to enjoy all its nutritional and medicinal benefits without discomfort.
As I continued to drink, the myths that once clouded my mind began to fade. What I held in my hands was more than just milk; it was centuries of pastoralist knowledge, a natural source of wellness, and a drink that could truly support the body from the inside out.
Why the Myths Might Exist and Where They Come From
As I drank, I realized the myths weren’t empty; they came from experience, passed down through generations.
1. Some pastoralist communities do warn against drinking too much camel milk while traveling, possibly because of its “cleansing” effect.
2. The idea that camel milk “runs through you” may connect to its mild laxative or detox effect.
3. The belief that camel milk is “medicine” isn’t just folklore: traditional knowledge is increasingly supported by science.
Also, camels eat wild herbs and plants, unique to arid and semi-arid lands, and some herders believe this diet makes their milk more nutrient-dense, more powerful. In a way, that resonates with the research: camels live in harsh environments, and their milk has evolved to contain proteins and compounds that support both them and, as it turns out, us.
My Reflection: Not Just Milk, But a Gift of Trust
For me, that camel milk was more than just a drink. It was a gift, from people, from culture, from nature. I felt honored to receive it, to taste something so deeply rooted in tradition, and to experience its effects firsthand.
I think about how camels are becoming more important in Kenya now: climate change is pushing pastoralists to rely more on them, not just for transport or meat, but for milk. There’s a whole movement, one that values resilience, sustainability, and traditional wisdom.
In My Line of Duty
Part of my job is to tell stories: not just of people, but of cultures, of traditions, of food and wellness. And this, this moment with camel milk, is one of those stories I know I’ll carry with me. It’s not just the nutritional facts or the scientific studies that matter, though they are powerful.
It’s the taste. The trust. The way that something so simple, milk, can carry so much meaning. If I were to leave you with one thing: Camel milk is not a mere novelty. It is a bridge between tradition and modern science. It is nourishment, healing, and heritage, all in one.
