Monica Wambui manages a herd of 45 dairy cows, consisting of both Friesian and Ayrshire breeds, from which she produces an average of 300 liters of milk daily. The highest-yielding cow gives 40 liters per day, while the lowest produces 15 liters. Wambui sells the milk at Sh38 per liter, a Sh2 decrease compared to a month ago.
“One of my biggest challenges is the fluctuating milk prices, which range between Sh30 and Sh42 per liter. Currently, the rains have caused a surplus, driving the prices down,” she explains.
Despite these setbacks, Wambui’s passion for dairy farming remains strong. Her journey into the industry has been a long one, starting in a very different field. After finishing secondary school at Karima Girls in Nyandarua in 1990, Wambui dreamed of becoming a teacher. However, her parents could not afford the college fees. She moved to Nakuru in search of better opportunities and spent about 13 years selling second-hand clothes, earning around Sh11,000 a month.
Although the business was stable, she and her colleagues often faced harassment from municipal authorities, which made the work increasingly difficult. Seeking a change, in 2005, Wambui used her savings of Sh50,000 and an additional Sh900,000 loan from her older brother to purchase three acres of land and four indigenous cows.
Over the years, she has gradually improved the quality of her herd, eventually acquiring purebred cattle. From the milk produced by her cows, she earns around Sh10,000 daily. Additionally, Wambui sells in-calf heifers at an average price of Sh150,000 each. In a good year, she sells about four heifers and five bull-calves, with the latter fetching between Sh2,000 and Sh3,000 each when sold at two to three months old.
Wambui has learned the intricacies of dairy farming through visits to other farms and continuous research. She ensures her cows are well-fed by offering a balanced diet three times a day. They receive maize and millet silage in the morning, fresh napier grass and hay at lunchtime, and lucerne and silage in the evening. Additionally, a mixture of maize bran and maize germ is provided to each heifer, which consumes about 2kg daily.
Her cattle are kept in zero-grazing units to minimize exposure to diseases, and she sprays them every two weeks to combat parasites. Wambui also plays different types of music to help reduce stress and promote relaxation in her cows.
Dr. John Githui, a veterinary officer with the Ministry of Agriculture in Nakuru, advises new dairy farmers to start with indigenous breeds and gradually improve the herd’s genetics. “To achieve purebred animals, all that is needed is quality semen from a pure breed and regular consultations with qualified livestock officers for guidance,” he says. Dr. Githui also emphasizes the importance of maintaining good hygiene practices to prevent diseases such as mastitis.
