Feeding Kenya’s future, one partnership at a time

By Philip Maina

On October 16, the global community marks the World Food Day under the theme, “Hand in Hand for Better Foods and a Better Future.”  It’s a reminder that fixing our food system isn’t a solo act but a team sport involving everyone who has a part to play in shaping a healthier, more resilient food system –from governments and businesses to farmers and consumers.

Kenya’s challenge is clear. Despite progress, 18 percent of children under five are stunted, a measure of chronic under-nutrition. About five percent are wasted and 10 percent are underweight. These are not just statistics; they are futures at stake, and a call to match ambition with action. 

At Kenchic Plc, we believe that better food begins with better partnerships. For over 40 years, we’ve worked hand in hand with farmers, suppliers, regulators, retailers and communities, to make safe, nutritious chicken more accessible, while growing dignified livelihoods across Kenya. 

Partnering with farmers for productivity and resilience, our technical teams visit farms nationwide, coaching on chick management, biosecurity, hygiene, housing, and feed conversion. The aim is simple: Healthier birds, lower losses, higher incomes. When smallholders thrive, local economies do too. 

Smallholder farmers are at the heart of Kenya’s food system. Yet many face challenges such as limited access to quality inputs, technical knowledge, and stable markets. Kenchic has been working to change that by providing the tools and training farmers need to succeed.

Across the country, our technical teams visit farms regularly to offer advice on animal care, hygiene, biosecurity, feed management, and housing. We ensure that farmers understand best practices that improve bird health and productivity. This hands-on support has helped thousands of poultry farmers reduce losses, improve incomes, and build more resilient businesses. 

When farmers thrive, so do communities. Each successful poultry farm creates jobs, supports families, and stimulates local economies. Poultry farming has become a reliable source of livelihood for many Kenyans and a key driver of rural development. 

Food safety sits at the core of everything Kenchic does. From hatchery to table, we maintain strict standards to ensure that every product is safe, fresh, and of the highest quality.

We follow responsible farming practices and do not use antibiotics to speed up growth. Instead, we prioritise prevention through good animal husbandry and hygiene. Every chicken can be traced back to its origin, offering full transparency and peace of mind to our customers. 

To make safe food more accessible, we are expanding our network of Kenchic Mtaani butcheries in towns such as Rongai, Thika, Syokimau, and Eldoret. These outlets bring affordable, high-quality chicken closer to consumers while helping formalise the meat sector, reducing risks linked to unregulated markets and improving food handling standards.

We understand that how we farm today determines the kind of world our children will inherit. That’s why sustainability guides everything we do.

Kenchic has invested in a 1.3-megawatt solar power system that reduces our reliance on the national grid, cuts energy costs, and lowers our carbon footprint. By harnessing renewable energy, we are doing our part to fight climate change while ensuring our operations remain efficient and sustainable.

We also uphold strong animal welfare standards, ensuring that our birds have space to move, natural light, clean air, and access to nutritious feed and water. These conditions promote healthy, stress-free growth, which translates into better quality chicken for consumers. 

Our approach is simple: When we care for our animals and our environment, we create better food and a better future.

In Kenya, many families still struggle to include enough protein in their daily diets. Malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies remain pressing challenges, especially among children. Chicken and eggs are among the most affordable and nutritious protein sources, rich in vitamins and minerals essential for growth and good health. By producing quality poultry products locally, Kenchic is helping bridge the nutrition gap and make balanced diets more achievable for all Kenyans.

As the demand for protein continues to grow, our goal is to ensure that no family is left behind, and that every Kenyan, regardless of income or location, can enjoy safe, nutritious, and affordable food. 

We know that real progress cannot happen in isolation. Building a sustainable food future requires collaboration between farmers, businesses, government, researchers, and consumers. We are proud to work with partners who share our vision for a food-secure Kenya. Together, we are exploring ways to make farming more productive, reduce food waste, and promote responsible consumption.

Public-private partnerships can unlock opportunities in areas like cold-chain infrastructure, farmer financing, and nutrition education, all crucial to strengthening Kenya’s food system. The future of food lies in such collaborations, where everyone contributes their expertise and resources to achieve shared goals.

We remain guided by one simple truth: When we work hand in hand, we can create lasting change. Together, we can build a Kenya where every household has access to safe, affordable food, where farmers prosper, and where future generations inherit a healthier, more sustainable world.

This World Food Day 2025, we renew our commitment to three things: Quality food, farmer empowerment, and care for the planet. Kenya’s food future will be built the Kenyan way – hand in hand, one farm, one family and one chicken at a time.

Philip Maina is the Chief Commercial Officer, Kenchic Plc.