Broiler farmers during their meeting in Ruiru
In a bold move to reclaim control of the broiler chicken market from exploitative brokers, chicken farmers from across the country have joined together and formed a cooperative society.
After mobolizing themselves through social media, the farmers met for their first meeting in Ruiru.
The farmers who have long suffered from unfair pricing despite the surging demand for chicken meat in Kenya.
Peninah Wanjiru, who mobilized the farmers through social media, highlighted the urgent need for a unified front.
We are the backbone of this industry, yet we earn the least. Middlemen dictate prices, leaving us with losses after months of hard work,” she lamented.
She emphasized that a cooperative would empower farmers to negotiate better prices, access affordable feed, and secure direct market linkages.
Gakuru Mureithi, a long-time poultry farmer, called on the government to intervene, warning that if the trend continues, many farmers will abandon poultry farming.
“The cost of chicken feed has skyrocketed, yet the farm gate price of broilers remains unreasonably low. If nothing is done, we may soon face a severe shortage of locally produced chicken,” he cautioned.
He said the new cooperative aims to set fair market prices, ensure collective bargaining power, and eliminate the dominance of brokers.
With broiler demand steadily rising due to Kenya’s expanding fast-food industry, the farmers were optimistic that their new union will restore profitability to poultry farming and make it a sustainable venture for many.
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