Uhuru Kenyatta, Kenya’s former president, is renowned for his entrepreneurial ventures and vast real estate holdings across the country.
However, little is known about his passion for agriculture and livestock farming.
One of his prized agricultural investments is Gicheha Farm, a sprawling 4,000-acre beef cattle farm located in Nakuru.
WoK delves into the details of this hidden gem, shedding light on Uhuru Kenyatta’s dedication to agriculture and his love for cattle.
Gicheha farm is located in Rongai sub-county, some distance from the Nakuru-Eldoret highway.
The 4, 000-acre farm reportedly holds over 1000 animals, the majority of them beef cattle imported from South Africa, the top beef producer in the continent.
As one enters the farm, they are welcomed by well-landscaped bougainvillea trees lining the driveway.
In the distance, one can see expanses of Boma Rhodes grass, which sits on a 2000-acre patch of land.
The grass is grown and harvested as hay. Its origins can be traced to South Africa, and it has deep expansive roots that enable it to withstand the semi-arid environment of Nakuru.
According to the farm manager, David Njoroge, everyone entering the farm must disinfect their feet in the numerous footbaths available, regardless of whether they are on foot or on vehicle.
This is to prevent visitors from bringing diseases and spreading them to the livestock.
Exotic breeds
Inside Gicheha farm, one finds numerous beef cattle, including the Ankole breed from Uganda, which are known for their very large horns. These cattle can reach weights of up to 720 kg.
Other cattle breeds on the farm include Charolais, Hereford, and Brahman. They also have local breeds like the Borana and Sahiwal.
The farm also has over 200 Dorper sheep and galla goats, all bred for meat. The only milk animals on the farm are 42 Boer goats imported from South Africa.
Galla goats are known for their ability to withstand droughts while Dorper sheep can reach weights of 50-60 kg in seven months according to Farm Biz Africa.
Due to their high quality, Dorper sheep are very expensive. The Star reported that Dorper rams can sell for up to sh 45, 000 while lambs can sell for over sh 6, 000.
Meticulous Care
Gicheha farm has its own veterinary officer who carefully watches the cattle and regularly vaccinates them.
According to the farm manager, the cattle are taken to a cattle dip located inside the farm every Tuesday to kill external pests.
They are also vaccinated three times a year against ringworms, anthrax, and foot and mouth diseases.
Each of the over 1000 animals on the farm has a file containing vital information such as its history, breed, date of birth, parents, disease history, weight, and expected maturity date for sale.
The animals are only sold after the farm has achieved their desired stock and each bull has reached a weight of 450-500kg. The bulls are castrated after seven months to keep them from breeding and increase their market value.
The farm, which has employed over 30 workers, has a 3-year stock of hay in case rains fail.
Its owner, Uhuru Kenyatta, is said to be so attached to it that he tours every corner of the farm during his regular visits.
Aside from livestock, Uhuru owns a sprawling mansion on Gicheha farm.
Other Farms
Aside from Gicheha farm, the former president is linked to an 11,000-acre farm in Kiambu, dubbed Northlands City.
He also owns several acres on the Mwea Irrigation scheme, and reports say the Kenyatta family is the majority owner of the Brookside dairy factory in Ruiru.
