Mary Nyadimo, popularly known as Mary Wa Mumias, is a successful poultry farmer from Mumias, Kenya.
At 30, Mary has turned what started as a side venture into a thriving business that generates over Ksh 1.2 million in profits.
Her journey into poultry farming began in 2023 with an investment of Ksh 200,000, which she used to build chicken housing, buy feed, and purchase her first batch of 300 improved Kienyeji chicks.
“I started poultry farming as a way to supplement my income from my traditional food restaurant in Nairobi’s central business district. I wanted something that could bring in extra cash, but I never imagined it would grow into my main source of income,” Mary explained.
Encouraged by the impressive results from her initial 300 chicks, Mary quickly expanded her flock by adding 700 more birds and, later, another 800.
Today, her farm boasts 2,000 chickens—1,000 Kienyeji chickens raised for meat and 1,000 layers producing eggs.
Her primary market includes hotels, event planners, and private individuals across Kakamega and neighboring regions.
Despite her remarkable success, Mary’s journey was not without challenges.
One of the most significant hurdles she faced was the high cost of feed, a common obstacle for poultry farmers.
“In the beginning, I was using two bags of feed every week, which cost me Sh7,000. It was tough, but once the chickens matured, I started selling them, and the returns were good,” she noted.
Mary sells her chickens at Ksh 900 for bulk buyers and Ksh 1,000 for smaller quantities.
She began selling after just three months, making her investment worthwhile.
Her fast-growing clientele and strategic approach to sales allowed her to reach over Ksh 1.2 million in profits in less than two years.
However, her success also came with a valuable lesson in farm management.
Mary lost almost 200 chicks due to inadequate supervision during the early stages of her venture.
“Chickens require constant attention, especially when starting. Even if you hire someone, they won’t care for them like you would because they don’t know your goals or the money you’ve put in. That’s why I now divide my time between my farm in Mumias and my restaurant in Nairobi,” she explained.
