More than 2,000 households are expected to benefit directly from an indigenous poultry farming project being rolled out in four wards of Nakuru County, while an estimated 9,000 other residents are projected to gain indirectly through increased economic activity and improved food security.

‎‎The Kenya Livestock Commercialisation Project (KeLCoP) Improved Indigenous Chicken Project is being implemented in the wards of Gilgil, Soin, Solai and Mai Mahiu, where farmers are being supported to venture into commercial poultry production as a means of boosting household incomes.

‎‎According to project data, Nakuru County hosts 37 poultry market-oriented farmer groups spread across the four wards. Gilgil and Mai Mahiu each have 10 groups, while Solai and Soin have nine and eight groups respectively. The programme aims to ensure that every participating member eventually receives 50 chicks.

‎‎As part of the initiative, 16,000 day-old chicks are being distributed to close to 900 beneficiaries in the four wards located within Rongai, Gilgil and Naivasha constituencies. The project primarily targets vulnerable and low-income households, livestock-keeping families, as well as young people involved in agribusiness, entrepreneurship and value addition activities.

‎‎Simon Nyakinywa, Chairperson of the Mbegi Farmers Group in Gilgil Ward, said members had undergone training on proper poultry husbandry, including brooding and disease management, to enable them to raise the birds to market age successfully.

‎‎He noted that the training had equipped many young farmers with practical skills needed to operate poultry enterprises and generate income from livestock farming.

‎‎Similarly, Ms Catherine Wangui Muriuki, Chairperson of the Milimani Step by Step Group, said the project had created an opportunity for many families to diversify their sources of income at a time when the cost of living remains a challenge for many rural households.

New Content Item (1)
Photo credit: MUTHONI WANJIKU/ MTAA WANGU

‎‎County Chief Officer for Livestock, Fisheries and Veterinary Services Dr Michael Cheruiyot said the poultry programme forms part of broader efforts aimed at improving livelihoods and strengthening local economies through livestock production.

‎‎He said the county government intends to continue supporting farmers even after the project's implementation period ends, particularly by monitoring progress and helping beneficiaries access markets for their poultry products.

‎‎Beyond the distribution of chicks, the project has also provided starter feed to participating farmers. Approximately 202 bags of 50-kilogramme poultry feed are being distributed across the four wards during the 2025/2026 financial year to support the birds during their early growth stages.

‎‎Although parts of the project area experience frequent water shortages due to their semi-arid conditions, farmers say investments in water infrastructure will ease some of the challenges.

‎muthoniw813@gmail.com

2,000 poultry farmers in four Nakuru wards to benefit from indigenous farming project

Author Spotlight

Muthoni Wanjiku