Kelvin Kilonzo stands as a triumphant entrepreneur who has found fulfillment and prosperity through the realm of poultry farming.
From an early age, Kilonzo nurtured a passion that evolved into a flourishing business model, ensuring direct access for consumers to poultry products sourced directly from his farm.
Central to his approach is the value addition he brings to his egg production by hatching chicks. Kilonzo’s journey into poultry farming can be succinctly characterized as that of a “farmer with a clear vision since childhood.”
Embarking on his poultry venture in Tala, Machakos, he not only realized his dreams but transformed it into a lucrative enterprise.
Reflecting on his modest beginnings in an interview with Taifa Leo, Kilonzo recounted saving every coin his mother handed him for shopping or leftovers after purchases. He acknowledges his mother’s generosity, stating, “Every coin my mother gave me, I would save.”
Initiating his poultry venture with a modest capital of Sh30 and just three chicks, Kilonzo laid the foundation for a substantial project. Despite encountering challenges, he remained resolute.
His efforts resulted in a twofold increase in the number of chickens, allowing him to finance his high school education through the proceeds of his poultry business. “I paid for my Form Three and Four school fees through poultry farming,” he revealed.
Post his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examination, Kilonzo pursued a Diploma in Animal Science, building on his expertise in poultry farming.
Throughout his higher education, Kilonzo continued to expand his poultry business, incorporating vegetable and tomato cultivation.
Currently, Kilonzo stands as one of the country’s esteemed poultry farmers, overseeing a significant project in egg incubation for chick production in Kiambu County under his company, Tala Poultry Farmers. He also manages a project for indigenous egg-laying chickens on Kangundo Road, Machakos.
Commencing with hatching 200 chicks, he now manages thousands, supported by 20 incubators. His clientele spans NGOs, youth groups, mothers’ groups, and individual farmers from Machakos, Makueni, Nairobi, and Kiambu counties. He also supplies meat chickens to restaurants and hotels.
In his Kangundo Road project, emphasizing egg production, he harvests approximately 85% of the product daily. The pricing structure for day-old chicks varies by age, with each costing Sh100, while mature chickens start from Sh800.
Addressing the financial burden of feed costs faced by many farmers, Kilonzo adopted a system of producing his own chicken feed. This practice, recommended by experts, has helped him reduce farming costs by nearly 75%.
Acknowledging the global rise in animal feed costs and the challenges posed by high-value-added tax (VAT) on raw materials, Kilonzo’s self-sufficiency in feed production has proven to be a strategic advantage.
In his project, Kilonzo has also embraced a modern system of watering chickens, utilizing taps connected to processed channels with reservoirs, exemplifying his commitment to innovation in poultry farming.
