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| Peter Mathenge's cows |
Welcome to Ndykak Investments, where the cows don’t just eat and rest—they also watch TV.
A Modern Dairy Shed in an Unlikely Place
The cows live in a 15 by 22-foot shed, a spotless and well-ventilated space that could comfortably host up to 24 animals. Inside, everything runs like clockwork—from regular cleaning with detergents to a strict feeding routine.
Each cow enjoys 30 kilograms of fodder daily, divided into three meals. “Cleanliness and consistency are everything,” says Peter Mathenge, the farm manager and a diploma holder in animal health. “We clean the sheds twice a day and whenever necessary in between. The cows’ comfort directly affects their output.”
At the far end of the shed sits a television set, not for the farmhands but for the cows.
From Music to Movies: Keeping Cows Entertained
Mathenge’s unique approach was inspired by a trip to the Netherlands two years ago. “I learned that cows respond positively to sound and visual stimulation,” he explains. “They not only enjoy soft music but also watching television.”
To keep things interesting, he alternates between television shows and soothing music, ensuring the cows don’t get bored. The results have been remarkable.
“Before introducing entertainment, our cows produced around 23–24 litres of milk daily. Now, they produce more than 25 litres,” says Mathenge. “That’s an extra one to two litres per cow, simply because they’re happier and more relaxed.”
The Science Behind Relaxed Cows
According to Dr. Githui Kaba, a livestock expert in Nakuru, the idea isn’t far-fetched. “Just like humans, animals experience stress and fatigue,” he explains. “Soft music helps them relax, which in turn enhances milk letdown. When cows are calm, they produce more.”
While some farms in Europe go as far as installing TVs in barns, Dr. Kaba says that even gentle background music can have a similar effect.
A Legacy That Lives On
The story of Ndykak Investments began in the early 1990s with Mzee Joram Kamau, the late founder of one of Kenya’s leading supermarket chains. After political unrest forced him to relocate from Rongai, he moved to Nakuru—but refused to leave behind his three beloved cows.
“His love for cows was so strong that he couldn’t imagine his grandchildren drinking milk from the shop,” says Mathenge.
From those three cows, the family has built a self-sustaining herd. Today, the farm produces over 100 liters of milk daily, selling primarily to employees of Nakuru’s major supermarkets, with plans to install a milk dispenser for direct sales.
Smart Feeding and Sustainable Living
To keep production high, the farm grows its own yellow maize and napier grass in Rongai, preserving the fodder as silage and mixing it with dairy meal, cottonseed cake, and canola for balanced nutrition.
The cows’ waste doesn’t go to waste either—it’s converted into biogas used by the farm’s owners and workers, creating a closed-loop, eco-friendly system.
No new cows have been purchased since the relocation. Instead, the herd has been improved through selective breeding with Friesian semen, producing healthy, high-yielding generations of the original three cows.
A Model for Urban Farming
Over the years, Ndykak Investments has become a learning hub for farmers across Kenya—from Meru to Mukurwe-ini. Visitors pay a small fee of KSh 500, which includes lunch and hands-on training on zero-grazing, feed management, and animal welfare.
Mathenge’s message is simple yet powerful:
“You don’t need hundreds of acres to be a successful farmer. With expert guidance, hygiene, and a bit of creativity — even cows can thrive in town.”
And yes—a little entertainment helps too.
Final Thoughts
Peter Mathenge’s farm is proof that innovation and compassion can transform even the smallest spaces into centers of productivity. By blending science, sustainability, and a touch of creativity, Ndykak Investments is showing Kenya—and the world—that the future of farming might just have a remote control.
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