Nairobi, Kenya — Once dismissed as a village novice, Geoffrey Kago has grown to become one of Kenya’s most admired innovators in agribusiness. His company, Kaki Village Enterprises, now valued at over KSh 10 million, began humbly in 2002 with just KSh 600 in startup capital—a testament to how determination and innovation can transform lives.
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| Kari kienyeji chicken |
A Humble Beginning
Kago’s entrepreneurial journey began in 1985, when, as a Class Four pupil, he bought his first exotic hen—a Transylvania Naked Neck—from his mother for KSh 20. “I bought it with my own savings,” he recalls proudly.
The breed’s rapid reproduction rate fascinated him. Within a year, he had nearly 200 chickens, which he sold locally in Nyeri for KSh 20–50 each.
By the time he reached Nyeri High School, Kago had already learned the value of independence. He used the proceeds from his poultry sales to pay his school fees from Form Two to Form Four.
Early Innovation and Passion for Technology
While in high school, Kago’s curiosity led him to explore technology in poultry farming. Traditional hatching methods inspired him to invent an electric incubator, which went on to win first place at the district level and second place nationally in the 1985 Kenya Science Congress.
But success didn’t come without setbacks. At one point, a neighbor poisoned his entire brood—a devastating loss that only strengthened his resolve to innovate and improve poultry production.
Hard Work and Resilience Pay Off
In 1997, Kago moved to Kiserian in search of better opportunities. He worked as a stone mason, carpenter, and even in a funeral home, where he honed his joinery skills. Later, while hawking cigarettes, he managed to save KSh 600—the seed capital that birthed Kaki Village Enterprises.
He was inspired by President Mwai Kibaki’s 2002 call for Kenyans to use their knowledge and creativity to improve their livelihoods. That message became his turning point.
The Birth of Kaki Village Enterprises
With his first incubator built from scratch, Kago quickly diversified into making egg candlers and training farmers in poultry management and hatching. His innovative solutions gained traction, and over the years, his business expanded into three branches—in Eldoret, Laikipia, and Gitaru (along the Nairobi–Nakuru highway).
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Eldoret: Hatchery and incubator development center
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Laikipia: 5-acre training farm with a mini-dam for fish and duck farming
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Gitaru: Demonstration site featuring exotic poultry breeds
At his Gitaru branch, Kago rears over 1,000 quails, six ostriches, 60 guinea fowls, 200 Kienyeji chickens, 30 turkeys, and 10 geese—all on just half an acre of land.
Championing Poultry Diversity
Kago believes in diversifying poultry farming beyond traditional chickens. He advocates for quails, guinea fowls, and geese as sustainable, low-cost alternatives.
“These birds consume less feed, are more disease-resistant, and provide high-quality white meat,” he explains.
He sells breeding guinea fowls for KSh 3,000 and non-breeding ones for KSh 1,000, receiving over 50 weekly inquiries.
To expand legally, he obtained a Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) license, enabling him to breed exotic species like quails, ostriches, and geese. Yet, demand still far exceeds supply, which he sees as an opportunity for fellow farmers.
Expanding Innovation Beyond Poultry
Kaki Village Enterprises has become a go-to resource for agricultural innovation in Kenya. Its clientele includes major institutions such as
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The Ministry of Agriculture
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The Kenya Agricultural Research Institute (KARI)
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The Africa Medical Research Fund
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NGOs involved in poverty alleviation and youth empowerment
Besides incubators, Kago’s firm manufactures posho mills and feed-mixing machines, some costing up to KSh 600,000. His next goal is to reduce production costs, making modern farming equipment affordable for all.
Empowering Farmers Through Knowledge
Kago’s mission extends beyond business—he’s passionate about training farmers. At his Laikipia farm, he offers hands-on sessions for KSh 2,500 per person, teaching modern poultry management, incubation, and agritech innovation.
He envisions transforming his farm into a nature and innovation center, demonstrating integrated models of sustainable farming.
A Vision for Homegrown Technology
Kago’s story embodies Kenyan ingenuity. He believes that local challenges demand local solutions, not imported technology.
“If our athletes can do it, we can too,” he says with conviction. “Kenyans are innovative enough to create their own technology, tailored to our needs and environment.”
Conclusion: A Legacy of Innovation and Impact
From a KSh 20 hen to a KSh 10 million enterprise, Geoffrey Kago’s journey is a powerful reminder that innovation thrives on resilience, vision, and passion.
His success continues to inspire a new generation of Kenyan entrepreneurs to believe that—with creativity and hard work—even the humblest beginnings can lead to greatness.
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