In a country grappling with high youth unemployment, one university graduate has captured attention by venturing into an unexpected path—dairy farming—and turning it into a profitable business.
Gordon Chui, 28, is a graduate of Chuka University, where he earned a diploma in Animal Health and Production in 2018. While many of his peers searched for formal employment, Chui chose a different route: pursuing his passion for farming.
His journey began in 2015 while he was still a college student. With unwavering dedication, he transitioned to full-time dairy farming after graduation. Backed by the support of his parents, who gifted him two cows—a Friesian and an Ayrshire—Chui laid the foundation for his dairy venture.
Today, he manages a herd of 13 cows, which includes four heifers, three dry cows, and six lactating cows. He supplies milk to major dairy processors including Brookside, Mt Kenya Milk, and Meru Central.
At the height of production, Chui was milking 257 liters a day from ten cows. Presently, with three cows dry, he averages between 155 to 175 liters daily. His distribution is split between morning and evening sales: in the morning, he supplies 120 to 140 liters to Brookside at Ksh 54 per liter, and in the evening, he sells 40 to 65 liters to Mt Kenya or Meru Central at Ksh 50 per liter.
This translates to morning earnings ranging from Ksh 6,480 to Ksh 7,560, and evening income between Ksh 2,000 and Ksh 3,250—impressive returns for a young farmer.
Dairy farming in Kenya is primarily driven by smallholder farmers, with over 400,000 contributing to more than 70% of national milk output. Since independence in 1963, the sector has evolved from colonial management to a locally sustained industry.
With annual milk production reaching around 3.5 billion liters, Kenya ranks among Africa’s top dairy consumers. The most productive breeds—Friesians and Ayrshires—are concentrated in high-potential regions such as the Rift Valley and Central Kenya. However, the industry still faces hurdles, including high input costs and the need for better-quality feed to meet increasing consumer demand.
Chui’s story is a testament to the potential of agriculture as a viable career path for young people, challenging stereotypes and inspiring a shift toward self-employment through agribusiness.
