Improved indigenous poultry to boost the economy of Kakamega County

The county government of Kakamega has pumped about 22m into poultry farming. This program will see 10 groups from all the 60 wards in the county share equally a total of 60,000 chicks. The first phase of this program covers Khwisero, Mumias West, Lugari and Navakholo sub-counties. Other groups in Mumias East, Lurambi, Malava, Shinyalu, Butere, Ikolomani, Matungu and Likuyani sub-counties will receive their chicks in April this year.

Speaking at Eshibinga Secondary School grounds in Khwisero Sub-County during the launch of the poultry program, Kakamega County Governor H.E Hon. Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya said the program will support the residents economically, as many people will specialize in making feeds for the birds while others manufacture manure from poultry droppings. This program, he said, will provide employment to youths, women, widows, persons with disabilities and other residents of Kakamega County. The farmers have been trained by the government in different topics of poultry farming. Currently the farmers will buy poultry feeds from Trans-Nzoia county and sell broilers to Chwele Chicken factory in Bungoma county for processing. This triangle is expected to broaden as Kakamega expands her market for chicken products. The broilers take only 4 months to be ready for market while layers produce 290 eggs annually on their fifth month of maturity. The improved indigenous poultry, are supplied by Kenya Agricultural Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).

Governor Oparanya later commissioned the construction of Eshibinga Seconday School Road before proceeding to Bumini Catholic Parish in Mumias East Sub-County for a Primary Schools Teachers’ thanks giving day. This function brought together all primary school teachers in Mumias East and other education stakeholders.

The Governor, who was accompanied by Mumias East MP Hon. Benjamin Washiali, officers from the National and County governments in the Education sector, challenged the teachers to maintain the top position in the county and strive to lead the whole nation in national exams in future. He said the government has set KShs.2m per ward for bursaries to sponsor bright students from less fortunate families to further their O-level and college education. Needy students in universities will apply for Kakamega County Higher Education Loans to enable them realize their dreams in life.