The poultry sector in Kenya is gaining new attention as county governments intensify efforts to unlock its estimated KSh 3 billion potential. Recognizing poultry farming as a key avenue for economic empowerment, especially among rural households, youth, and women, several counties have launched comprehensive programs aimed at boosting productivity, increasing incomes, and creating jobs.
One of the counties leading the charge is Meru. The Meru County Government, in collaboration with the Korea Programme on International Agriculture (KOPIA), has rolled out a poultry project that has already shown significant promise. In just two years, the project has reached over 700 households. Each household started with eight improved indigenous chicks, and over time, some have grown their flocks to more than 100 birds. The program also provides training on feeding, disease control, housing, and vaccination—key elements that have contributed to increased poultry survival rates and higher incomes.
To ensure sustainability, the project set up a local hatchery in Ngonyi village, where improved kienyeji chicks are produced and distributed to farmers at affordable rates. Farmers no longer have to depend on costly private suppliers or distant hatcheries. With proper vaccination and training, the mortality rate among chicks has significantly decreased, leading to better returns.
Elsewhere, in Nakuru County, a similar poultry empowerment project is being implemented with notable results. The county has invested over KSh 25 million to support 3,000 beneficiaries, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities. Each group received improved kienyeji chicks, incubators, feeds, and access to veterinary services. The beneficiaries are now not only producing for local consumption but also supplying to markets outside the county.
This initiative has contributed to the production of over 67 million eggs and 650,000 birds annually in Nakuru. The egg business alone has generated approximately KSh 875 million in income, while meat production has yielded another KSh 489 million. With such figures, experts estimate that the sub-sector could cross the KSh 3 billion mark with continued investment in breed improvement, disease management, and market linkage.
Training and capacity building have also played a key role in enhancing the poultry value chain. Counties are working closely with agricultural officers and livestock experts to ensure that farmers receive hands-on skills in poultry care and management. In addition, technical colleges are incorporating poultry management courses, giving rise to a new generation of agripreneurs.
Despite the progress, challenges still exist. Limited access to affordable feeds, fluctuating market prices, and diseases continue to hinder the sector’s growth. However, counties are responding with more hatcheries, feed-making technologies, and partnerships with NGOs and development partners to build resilience.
Kenya’s poultry sector is proving to be more than just a subsistence activity. It is fast becoming a strategic economic pillar for counties aiming to reduce poverty, improve food security, and generate employment. With coordinated efforts, proper funding, and farmer-friendly policies, the dream of unlocking the Sh3 billion poultry potential may soon become a reality for thousands of Kenyan households.
