A family in Mogotio, Baringo County, Kenya, is defying traditional livestock-keeping norms after establishing a thriving business in monitor lizard, popularly known as “burukenge,” and tortoise farming.
Joseph Kiprono and his sons, Moses and Andrew, initially faced skepticism and fear from locals due to the unconventional nature of their venture.
However, their bold move has transformed into a lucrative enterprise, earning them recognition and praise from wildlife officials.
The family’s business not only provides income but also contributes to conservation efforts by promoting sustainable practices in reptile farming.
Speaking to Citizen TV, Joseph said he has a total of 500 tortoises and 20 monitor lizards.
He explained that locals often kill these tortoises because they host a high number of ticks, which affect their livestock. Joseph said they step in to minimize these human-wildlife conflicts by rescuing these animals after being notified by locals.
Joseph’s son, Andrew Chesire, noted that selling locally does not yield lucrative returns compared to selling abroad.
He said that once you obtain a license to sell to reptile-eating countries like Hong Kong and China, you can earn a good profit.