Former President Uhuru Kenyatta owns the large Gicheha Farm, which is located near the Nakuru-Eldoret highway. The farm spans over 4,000 acres and is home to over 1,000 imported and local beef cattle, including the Ankole from Uganda, Brangus, Charolais, Hereford, Brahman, Borans, and Sahiwals. Most of these animals are imported from South Africa. In addition, the farm houses 200 Ankoles from Uganda, 200 Dorper sheep, and Galla goats for their meat. It has also recently introduced 42 Boer goats from South Africa for milk production, with a liter of milk expected to be sold at between Sh. 150 and Sh. 180.
The farm is managed with great care to avoid diseases, with a strict feeding program and constant monitoring of the weight of the cattle, water supply, and pasture farming. The animals are taken for a weekly dip and are fed minerals, salts, and hay in the evenings. A veterinary officer is also employed to monitor the animals’ health. The farm follows a strict vaccination schedule, with the animals receiving vaccinations twice a year against foot and mouth disease, anthrax, and Rift Valley fever, and once a year for lumpy skin disease. Deworming is done every three months.
Bull calves are castrated after seven months to improve their quality for the market, and each animal has a file documenting their history, breed, weight, and expected maturity date for sale. The farm employs 30 workers and has a three-year hay stock and 2,000 acres of Boma Rhodes grass for hay production.
