Kambale’s journey into farming has been anything but ordinary. Today, he manages eight dairy cows, two in-calf, two calves, and four lactating, producing an impressive average of 100 litres of milk per day. But the road to this success wasn’t smooth.
“I left my job as a surveyor in 1999 and invested Sh50,000 into poultry farming,” Kambale recalls. He started with 50 kienyeji birds, hoping for a steady supply of eggs. “But things didn’t turn out as expected. The hens laid few eggs, and many died from Newcastle disease. By the time I scaled up to 200 birds, only 20 remained.”
Disappointed but not defeated, Kambale shifted his focus to dairy farming in 2002 after visiting a friend who managed 20 cows under a zero-grazing system. “I started with one cow, which had been offered as my sister’s dowry. I improved the breed using artificial insemination,” he explains. Over seven years, he grew his herd to five improved cows, three bred on his farm and two purchased, investing over Sh200,000 to set up a proper zero-grazing unit.
Why Zero-Grazing Works
“The reason I went for zero-grazing is simple: it produces higher yields,” he says. “Controlled feeding, limited movement, and easy monitoring make all the difference.” His current herd is a mix of Friesians and Ayrshires, fed mainly on hay from regional suppliers and Napier grass bought from neighbours at Sh3,000 per pick-up truck. Dairy meal is sourced directly from manufacturers, ensuring quality and affordability.
Chopping fodder with a chaff cutter, Kambale feeds his cows twice daily, right after morning milking and around 2 p.m. He milks the cows twice a day and delivers the fresh milk to Voi town, selling a litre for Sh50–Sh60 depending on the season.
Learning to Be Self-Reliant
Despite his success, Kambale faces challenges common to farmers in remote areas, particularly limited access to veterinary services. “I’ve had to teach myself many aspects of dairy care,” he says. “A thermometer is essential. Sudden temperature changes can indicate disease. A cow’s normal temperature should be 38.6°C.”
He supplements hands-on experience with reading livestock literature, attending agricultural exhibitions, and visiting established farms. “Farming comes with challenges, especially when the vet is miles away. At the very least, a farmer should know first aid,” he advises. Kambale recently lost a cow producing 30 litres a day to milk fever, but his knowledge helped him provide immediate care.
Sharing Knowledge and Earning Respect
Kambale’s expertise has made him a respected figure in the region. Farmers regularly visit his farm for guidance, paying Sh300 per visit. He has also trained farmers under a local NGO, earning Sh6,000 per day. To maintain a manageable herd, he sells mature cows for Sh120,000–Sh140,000.
His dedication has even earned recognition at agricultural shows. One of his cows won prizes at the Mombasa ASK Show in 2013 and 2014, along with Sh100,000 in cash. Wilfred Kioko, a livestock production officer with the Ministry of Agriculture in Voi, emphasizes that Kambale’s approach is a model for others: “A good farmer notices even slight changes in animal behavior, loss of appetite, inactivity, weight loss, rough coat, or isolation, and acts immediately.”
Kambale’s story is a testament to resilience, continuous learning, and the rewards of investing in quality farming practices. From a struggling poultry farmer to a successful dairy entrepreneur, he shows that with patience and knowledge, farming can truly transform lives.
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