In September 2016, Meshack Mwau embarked on a remarkable journey that would change his life and the lives of many others.
He founded East Meat Supplies Ltd, a company specializing in the production of pure indigenous chicken, beef, goat, and lamb meat.
What started as a childhood inspiration and a modest investment has grown into a thriving business with a turnover of Sh10 million per month.
This is the inspiring story of Meshack Mwau and his journey in the poultry and meat industry.
Meshack Mwau’s fascination with the world of poultry began in his childhood.
He watched his mother support their family by rearing and selling indigenous chickens and their eggs.
“As a smallholder farmer, our mother who had just a handful of indigenous chickens was able to take care of us. That is when I noticed that if one taps into commercial poultry business with the latest agronomical skills, they can make good money,” Mwau says.
To turn his poultry dream into a reality, Meshack Mwau took a courageous step.
He quit his job and invested Sh700,000 of his own savings to start East Meat Supplies Ltd.
His initial focus was on increasing poultry production while empowering smallholder farmers in Makueni County.
His journey had begun.
In the early days of East Meat, Mwau faced challenges in the market.
He purchased chickens from local markets, processed them, and distributed them using public transportation.
However, the returns were not as promising as he had hoped.
“l wanted to sell to supermarkets but they were reluctant to buy because l didn’t have refrigerated trucks to transport the chicken.”
However, Meshack Mwau was not one to give up easily.
He recognized the need to invest in refrigerated trucks to meet the demands of the market.
Today, the company boasts 17 refrigerated trucks that transport chicken and meat to various locations, ensuring the freshness and quality of their products.
His journey was not a solo endeavor.
He actively sought partnerships that would facilitate the growth of East Meat Supplies Ltd. One crucial partnership was with Kenya Commercial Bank, which provided asset financing for a refrigerated pickup truck with an in-built refrigeration system. This investment was a game-changer for the business.
Another pivotal partnership came through the Kenya Crops and Dairy Market Systems (KCDMS), a USAid project that supports small businesses.
Through this partnership, Mwau’s company received essential equipment, including a cold room, a slaughterhouse container, freezers, and more.
These additions revolutionized the way they processed and produced meat products, extending the shelf life of chicken to 45 days.
East Meat Supplies Ltd didn’t stop at poultry; they diversified their product range to include beef, goat, and lamb meat.
This dedication ensured customer satisfaction and loyalty, and they began serving well-known supermarket chains, further expanding their market reach.
Meshack Mwau acknowledges the challenges, including prolonged droughts due to climate change and rising fuel costs.
However, he remains resolute in his plans for the future.
“These are modern equipped butcheries completely different from local and normal butcheries. I started these butcheries because not everyone can afford chicken at the supermarkets, therefore I want to bridge that gap, where every one of us can access affordable and quality meat with ease.”
