Hon. William Ruto is an inspiring figure whose story has motivated many of his followers. He started out as a chicken hawker in Eldoret before venturing into politics, where he has excelled. It is no surprise that he chose to invest in the poultry business, given his humble beginnings.
Ruto’s poultry business, named Brade Gate, has become one of the largest in East and Central Africa, with a capacity to hatch 160,000 chicks per week in two sessions. Despite his success, the businessman has faced financial challenges that made him vulnerable to auctioneers.
Another successful poultry farmer is Nelson Muguku, whose inspiring story is worth telling. Muguku was a carpentry teacher before quitting his job to focus on his poultry business in 1957. Despite opposition from his parents, he pursued his dream with just two hens, a cock, and Sh200. His business grew so successful that he supplied eggs to Kenya’s first president Jomo Kenyatta and Governor General Malcolm MacDonald. Muguku went on to invest in real estate and built primary schools among other philanthropic works. By the time of his death in 2010, his empire was worth billions.
Geoffrey Kago’s journey into the poultry business began in primary school, where he sold over 100 chickens to pay his school fees. Inspired by Muguku’s story, Kago developed an incubator while still in school, which won the 1985 high school science congress at the district level and came second nationally. However, he faced a setback when a neighbor poisoned his brood.
These inspiring stories show that with hard work, determination, and resilience, success is possible. They serve as a reminder that no matter how humble your beginnings may be, with the right mindset, anything is achievable.
