Nyeri poultry farming receives a major boost with the distribution of 4,500 KALRO chicks to 28 farmer groups. Learn how this climate-resilient initiative enhances household income and food security in Mukurwe-ini.

A farmer in Mukurwe-ini holds a KALRO improved indigenous chick. Alt Text: Nyeri poultry farming initiative with KALRO chicks for climate resilience.
Farmers in Mukurwe-ini hold KALRO’s improved indigenous chicks. 

Nyeri County, Kenya – In a strategic move to strengthen rural livelihoods and build community resilience against climate change, Nyeri County has launched a significant poultry farming initiative targeting smallholder farmers in Mukurwe-ini Sub-County. Through a collaborative effort between the Department of Water, Environment and Climate Change and the Department of Agriculture, Livestock and Aquaculture Development, a total of 4,500 improved indigenous chicks have been distributed to 28 organized community groups in Mukurwe-ini West Ward.

The distribution forms part of the implementation of the Financing Locally Led Climate Action (FLLoCA) Program, a national framework designed to channel resources toward community-prioritized climate adaptation projects. This Nyeri poultry farming intervention specifically aims to provide households with a reliable source of nutrition and income while enhancing their capacity to withstand climatic shocks such as erratic rainfall and rising temperatures.

A Strategic Choice in Poultry Breed

At the core of this initiative is the deliberate selection of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organisation (KALRO) improved indigenous chicken breed. This choice represents a calculated shift from supporting subsistence farming to enabling commercially viable, climate-smart agriculture. The KALRO breed is the product of dedicated research aimed at combining the hardiness of local chickens with the enhanced productivity of exotic breeds.

Farmers receiving these chicks benefit from a bird that matures in approximately four and a half months, much faster than traditional indigenous varieties. The hens are capable of producing between 200 and 280 eggs per year, a substantial increase that promises regular household nutrition and a steady stream of marketable produce. Importantly, the birds retain strong disease resistance and adapt well to free-range and semi-intensive management systems common in the region, making them a practical and sustainable choice for local farmers.

Linking Livelihoods to Climate Adaptation

The focus on poultry farming in Nyeri is not incidental. Poultry represents a low-entry-barrier enterprise that can be managed by a wide cross-section of the community, including women and youth, with relatively small parcels of land. It offers relatively quick returns on investment, providing families with a financial buffer in times of crop failure or other climate-induced stresses.

Farmers at the Nyeri Poultry Farming initiative

During the distribution exercise, officers from the Ward Climate Change Planning Committee sensitized beneficiaries on the specific climate vulnerabilities facing Mukurwe-ini. Farmers were educated on how diversifying into poultry creates an alternative income stream, thereby reducing over-reliance on rain-fed agriculture which has become increasingly unreliable. This direct link between the economic activity and climate adaptation is a fundamental principle of the FLLoCA program.

Training for Long-Term Sustainability

Recognizing that the provision of livestock alone is insufficient, the program incorporated a strong capacity-building component. Agricultural extension officers from the county government conducted comprehensive training sessions for all beneficiary groups. The training covered essential aspects of modern poultry management, including the construction of suitable housing, formulation of balanced feeds using locally available resources, disease prevention through vaccination and biosecurity, and basic record-keeping for effective enterprise management.

This technical guidance is crucial for ensuring high survival rates and optimizing productivity, thereby maximizing the economic impact of the initiative. The training empowers farmers to manage their flocks as viable small businesses rather than as mere subsistence assets.

Community Ownership and Leadership

Presiding over the distribution event, the area Member of County Assembly, Honourable Atanasio Wakabaire, underscored the importance of community commitment to the project’s success. He urged the beneficiary groups to take full ownership of the initiative, apply the knowledge gained from training sessions, and manage their poultry ventures collectively and diligently. His emphasis was on transforming the donation into a self-sustaining enterprise that would continue to benefit households for years to come.

Member of County Assembly, Honourable Atanasio Wakabaire

The group-based approach is designed to foster peer learning, shared responsibility, and collective marketing potential, strengthening the social fabric of the community alongside its economic resilience.

The FLLoCA Program Model

This poultry farming project in Nyeri exemplifies the operational model of the FLLoCA program. The program devolves decision-making and funding to the local level, allowing communities to identify and implement projects that address their most pressing climate-related challenges. In this case, local stakeholders in Mukurwe-ini identified livelihood diversification as a key adaptation strategy, leading to the design and funding of this poultry distribution initiative through the county government structure.

According to information from the National Treasury, the FLLoCA program is a cornerstone of Kenya’s climate finance architecture, supported by development partners including the World Bank. It aims to build resilience by financing locally relevant solutions across the country.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While the initiative is a positive step, its long-term success will depend on several factors. Continuous access to affordable quality feed and veterinary services will be critical for the farmers. Furthermore, developing stable market linkages for eggs and poultry meat will be the next essential phase to ensure the economic sustainability of the venture. The county government has indicated that support will extend beyond the initial distribution to include guidance on value addition and market access.

The Mukurwe-ini project is seen as a pilot that could be replicated in other wards across Nyeri County and beyond, offering a practical model for integrating climate adaptation with economic empowerment at the grassroots level. As climate impacts intensify, such locally-led, productive safety nets will become increasingly vital for food security and community stability in Kenya’s agricultural regions.

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