Success Story: How Leah Muthoni Earns KSh 120,000 Monthly from Her Kienyeji Chicken Farm

When you arrive at Leamose Poultry Farm in Kabiruini village—near the Nyeri Showground and Dedan Kimathi University of Technology—the first thing that greets you is a lively flock of multi-colored indigenous chickens darting joyfully inside a neat wire-mesh compound.

Leah at her farm in Nyeri

This farm belongs to Leah Muthoni, a passionate poultry farmer who has turned her love for Kienyeji chicken into a thriving agribusiness, earning between KSh 80,000 and 120,000 every month.

🐔 From Six Chickens to a Thriving Enterprise

Leah’s journey began humbly in 2013, with just six Kienyeji chickens.
Her husband, a retired police officer, believed in her dream and helped her secure a KSh 400,000 bank loan. With this, Leah invested in a hatchery, brooders, water tanks, cages, and electricity installation for her farm.

She later attended a training organized by the Ministry of Agriculture, where she was introduced to the KARI Improved Indigenous Chicken (now known as Kari Kienyeji)—a breed developed by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) for better productivity and disease resistance.

🌱 The Secret Behind Her Success: Smart Crossbreeding

Leah decided to go a step further—she began crossbreeding local Kienyeji chickens with exotic breeds such as Kenbro, Kuroiler, and Dorep.

“The crossbreeds grow faster, are more resistant to diseases, and produce larger eggs than the traditional Kienyeji,” she explains.

These crossbreeds can grow up to 4.5 kg when mature and are ready for sale between four and six months of age.

Her locally made hatchery produces over 200 chicks every month, which she sells to farmers from as far as Laikipia, Meru, and Kirinyaga. She also supplies eggs and mature birds to hotels and supermarkets in Nyeri Town.

💧 Cleanliness and Care Come First

When we visit Leah at her farm, she’s wearing a green apron, cleaning the water traps while feeding her chickens with maize germ.

“Cleanliness is what keeps my chickens healthy,” she says proudly, as she directs her workers around the cages.

She vaccinates her chickens every 2–3 months, mainly against Newcastle disease, and ensures chicks are vaccinated two weeks after hatching.

To keep her flock healthy, Leah feeds them on a balanced diet of sunflower, fish meal, maize germ, green grass, cereals, and even kitchen waste. The birds also roam freely in a fenced compound, scavenging for insects and greens.

💰 The Numbers Behind the Business

• Chick sales: 3-week-old chicks go for KSh 150 each

• Egg sales: Crossbreed eggs sell for KSh 30–35 each (local Kienyeji eggs go for KSh 20–25)

• Mature chicken sales: Sold by weight at KSh 450 per kilo

• Monthly income: Between KSh 80,000 and KSh 120,000

Her business model combines selling chicks, eggs, and mature birds, ensuring consistent income throughout the year.

🧠 Expert Insights on Indigenous Poultry Farming

According to Wairimu Kariuki, Chairperson of the Kenya Poultry Farmers Association, Leah’s approach aligns with what many farmers are now adopting:

“Crossbred chickens retain the resilience of indigenous breeds but mature faster and lay more eggs,” says Wairimu.

She advises that farmers who crossbreed should always keep original breeds separate to preserve their traits and maintain regular vaccination every 10 weeks alongside clean cages and constant access to water.

🌟 Lessons from Leah’s Journey

Leah’s success story is more than just about raising chickens—it’s about vision, consistency, and smart farming practices.

She proves that with the right training, good management, and dedication, poultry farming can be a profitable business—even when starting small.

“It’s not just about keeping chickens,” Leah smiles. “It’s about creating a system that works — for me, for my customers, and for the community.”

🐣 The Future of Leamose Poultry Farm

Leah plans to expand her hatchery and introduce automated feeding systems to increase efficiency. She also hopes to start training young farmers who are interested in indigenous poultry farming.

Her story stands as an inspiration to many aspiring farmers across Kenya—a reminder that with hard work, innovation, and passion, you can truly “Create Anything.”