Nakuru: Nakuru County has unveiled a programme that encourages smallholder poultry farmers to use dual-purpose breeds to address challenges of poor breeds and low production. The initiative aims to unlock the County's estimated potential of Sh 3 billion in the sub-sector.
According to Kenya News Agency, Governor Susan Kihika announced that the project has already provided 13,000 one-month-old improved 'Kienyeji' chicks to over 100 women, youth, and persons with disabilities (PWD) groups in Menengai East Ward within Nakuru Town East Sub-county. The initiative, named 'Improved Local Chicken Stimulus Project for Economic Vitality,' is part of the administration's broader agricultural empowerment agenda. It aims to enhance food security, increase household incomes, and promote inclusive growth.
Governor Kihika stated that all beneficiaries have received basic training in poultry care and will continue to receive support from ward livestock officers to improve the breeding and multiplication of their indigenous chickens. The project is also designed to promote urban agriculture by utilizing limited available space to feed the growing urban population.
"Our ultimate goal is to achieve food security and nutrition, as well as create employment for vulnerable groups," Ms. Kihika elaborated. She emphasized her administration's commitment to improving the livelihoods of Nakuru residents, particularly women, persons with disabilities, and youth, enabling them to address their needs and those of their families.
The programme targets farmers to rear improved Kienyeji Chicken varieties, which start laying eggs five months after hatching and produce an average meat weight of 1.5 kg, while a cock should weigh at least 2 kg. The dual-purpose breeds are expected to improve local chicken breeds, address challenges of poor breeds, and low production, while generating income for communities.
To ensure smallholder farmers achieve optimum production, Ms. Kihika mentioned that the government has attached veterinary and livestock extension officers to the project, providing technical advice on feeding the birds and administering vaccines. Last year, Nakuru's poultry farmers earned over Sh 875 million from selling 67 million eggs and a further Sh 489 million from selling 825 tonnes and 340 tonnes of chicken and turkey meat, respectively.
Agricultural experts suggest that earnings could exceed Sh 3 billion if farmers receive disease-resistant birds that mature quickly. Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture indicate Kenya has an estimated poultry population of 31 million birds, with 75% consisting of indigenous chickens. Nakuru alone has approximately 1.5 million indigenous chickens, along with various other breeds and species.
The County is considering intensifying poultry vaccination to cushion small-scale farmers against high vaccination costs and frequent disease outbreaks.