Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) Promote informed journalism and public engagement on agricultural and environmental nalists Network (LAEJN)
By: Nukanah Kollie /kollienukanah94@gmail.com
Naivasha, Kenya — Situated in the heart of Kenya’s beautiful Rift Valley region, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO) Naivasha stands as a leading national research hub dedicated to advancing poultry, dairy, and pig production. The facility combines cutting-edge research, innovative technology, and community outreach programs to enhance food security, increase incomes, and empower women and youth across the country. Dr. Samuel M. Mbuku, Director of KALRO’s Dairy Research Institute, highlights the institute’s essential role in transforming Kenya’s livestock sector and supporting smallholder farmers.
Liberia Agricultural and Environmental Journalists Network (LAEJN) reporter, who attended the 2025 International Federation of Agricultural Journalists (IFAJ) Congress in Kenya recently, along with scores of international agricultural
communicators from around the world, toured the facilities, where Samuel Mbuku and Ann Wachira spoke to the communicators about KALRO’s programs.
Transforming Kenya’s Chicken Industry
The KALRO Chicken Research and Development Program has made significant strides in enhancing local poultry production. Kenya currently produces 2.4 billion eggs annually, covering only 60% of national consumption, leaving the remaining 40% dependent on imports. To address this gap, KALRO has developed three dual-purpose chicken breeds: mature live weight of 2 kg at four months, 220–280 eggs per year, and 50–60 g egg weight. These breeds are designed to increase local production, reduce import dependency, and improve farmer livelihoods.
Madam Ann Wachira, Head of the Non-Ruminant Section at KALRO Naivasha, oversees poultry and piggery improvement programs, including a thriving pig unit with over 600 pigs and an expanding poultry research section. She highlights the impact of improved breeds and vaccination programs, particularly the thermostable Newcastle Disease vaccine, which does not require refrigeration. “It has become rare to see birds dying from Newcastle at village level because the vaccine is packed in small doses and reaches the last mile,” she explained.
Home-Grown Genetics vs. Imports
Wachira emphasizes the importance of local solutions over imported breeds. Imported chickens require intensive management, specialized feeds, and constant medication, making them impractical for smallholder farmers. “So we have developed home-grown improved chickens that can scavenge, feed on whole grains and worms, survive harsh conditions, and resist common diseases. They suit our climate and production systems,” she said.
Food Security, Income, and Youth Empowerment
KALRO interventions are designed to support food security, income generation, youth empowerment, and commercialization of smallholder livestock farming. Through technology transfer, capacity building, and value chain integration, KALRO envisions transforming Kenya into a “chicken republic.”
Youth engagement is increasing, especially in ICT-driven livestock management, vaccination, processing, and feed production. Innovative approaches, such as backyard black soldier fly larvae production, provide affordable protein supplements while addressing competition between human and animal food needs.
Women, who dominate smallholder poultry production, accounting for nearly 80% of household-level production, benefit from programs that combine traditional knowledge with modern research, improving household nutrition, income, and resilience. Youth are increasingly active in contract services such as vaccination, processing, debeaking, and input supply.
Cooperatives: A Pathway to Better Markets
KALRO encourages smallholders to form cooperatives to boost production and access premium markets. “When farmers come together, they can produce volumes, get certified, add value, and access high-end markets, especially for organic poultry,” Wachira explained. Cooperatives provide management, regulation, and market linkage support, enabling farmers to achieve higher prices and more sustainable operations.
Major Poultry Diseases and Solutions
Just like Liberia, Kenya battles poultry diseases such as Newcastle Disease, Gumboro, and Fowl Pox. KALRO’s innovations, including thermostable vaccines and disease-resistant local breeds, have significantly reduced mortality and strengthened smallholder poultry production.
Dairy Research and Livestock Innovation
The Dairy Research Institute (DRI) at Naivasha leads research on dairy cattle, dairy goats, and feed systems. The Sahiwal x Friesian crossbred cattle produce 18 kg of milk per day on forage-based diets, while improved dairy goat breeds support smallholder livelihoods.
DRI also conducts feed research programs, including pasture trials, fodder development, and irrigation-based forage production, addressing Kenya’s national feed deficit of 30 million MT. These efforts aim to reduce feed costs, improve productivity, and strengthen nutrition across communities.
Infrastructure and Production Capacity
KALRO Naivasha operates nucleus and multiplier farms for poultry, pigs, dairy cattle, and goats. Its poultry supply chain currently reaches over 200,000 households directly, with an annual distribution of 5 million day-old chicks. Plans are underway to scale broiler production to 400,000 day-old chicks weekly, establish hatching and processing facilities, and expand value addition.
The Institute manages over 3,500 hectares of land, feed mills, and a milk processing plant with a capacity of 5,000 liters per day, enabling integrated livestock research, commercialization, and training.
Government Parastatal and Funding Model
KALRO Naivasha is a government parastatal: salaries are paid by the Government of Kenya, while research funds come from development partners and revenue generated from selling chicks and other products. All income is reinvested into research and facility management rather than being sent back to the central government.
KALRO’s Strategic Vision and Digital Agriculture
Present in all regions of Kenya, KALRO operates under the KALR Act (2013) and related legislation. Its strategy leverages science, technology, and innovation to empower livestock and crop value chain actors, particularly women, youth, and vulnerable groups.
The Institute has developed 52 digital platforms and apps, providing farmers with localized agronomic insights, climate advisories, soil analysis, market data, and pest/disease management. Tools like Selector and Suitability Map enable data-driven decision-making, improving productivity and resilience.
Research, Outreach, and Socioeconomic Impact
KALRO’s research outputs include 24 journal publications, 65 extension materials, 9,625 SMS advisories, and 36,714 presentations at scientific meetings, agricultural shows, and schools. With a staff of 175 experts, KALRO strengthens smallholder productivity, improves market access, and supports Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises development.
Conclusion
KALRO Naivasha stands as a model of how science, local innovation, and community empowerment can transform livestock production. From thermostable vaccines to farmer-friendly poultry genetics, ICT-driven youth participation, and cooperative-led commercialization, the centre is shaping a more resilient, food-secure Kenya.
For countries like Liberia located in West Africa, seeking to reduce dependence on imports and build local livestock capacity, Kenya’s experience offers valuable lessons in sustainable, inclusive livestock development.
