KENDAT was established to promote the durable development of Draught Animal Technology (DAT) resources in Kenya through direct and active participation of communities. It was formed as a non-governmental organization (NGO) with its headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.

In recognising a need for concerted and collaborative efforts in promotion and support of animal traction technologies, KENDAT was founded in 1992 as a network by Kenyan NGOs, institutions of higher learning, community groups and other practitioners. This was in response to a United Nations call (New and Renewable Resources Conference, Nairobi, August 1981) for the advancement of the DAT system as a means towards poverty alleviation through enhanced agricultural productivity and accelerated national development.

Thus KENDAT had a mission of empowering resource-poor communities by advancing animal traction technologies, with concentration on sustainable commercialisation of smallholder farming and transport activities. There have been numerous programmes on promoting camel traction in semi-arid areas, supporting use of oxen for draught work, improving donkey welfare and utilization, promoting conservation agriculture and enhancing provisions for rural and peri-urban transport services in Kenya.