By Lenah Bosibori
Kenya’s poultry industry is a significant contributor to the country’s agricultural economy, supplying both domestic and regional markets with eggs and meat. However, despite the sector’s growth, many farmers have struggled to implement proper animal welfare practices due to weak enforcement of existing regulations.
The Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) introduced the KS 2945:2022 poultry welfare standards to address these concerns, but enforcement remains a challenge ranging from poor animal welfare practices such as overcrowding, improper feeding, and inhumane slaughter methods continue to impact meat and egg quality, eventually reducing farmers’ profitability.
To bridge this gap, a recent pilot project dubbed ‘Mazuri Chicken and Egg Pilot Program’, led by Partner Africa and Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW), sought to assess and improve poultry welfare practices among farmers in five counties: Nairobi, Nakuru, Machakos, Kiambu, and Kajiado.
Findings from the study revealed that while 79% of poultry farmers faced challenges in fully implementing best welfare and safety standards, 21% had successfully adopted the KEBS regulations implemented in 2022 that require the entire poultry value chain to adhere to better housing, feeding, health management, handling, transportation and reduce humane slaughtering methods.
Mary Kihara, a poultry farmer from Kinuka Farm in Nakuru County is among those who have benefited from the training on proper chicken management. “Before, I did not know how to feed my chickens correctly, especially the layers. After putting into practice what I learned, I have seen significant improvements in production,” she said. She now ensures strict hygiene in her poultry house and follows recommended feeding routines.
Moses Gathua, a poultry marketer from Nakuru County, also attests to the impact of training on his business. “I learned the importance of cleanliness before purchasing from farmers. Previously, I transported my chickens in unsafe conditions, sometimes carrying them in plastic containers and placing them on motor vehicles. Now, I have invested in deep freezers to ensure I supply quality meat to supermarkets and hotels,” he said during an interview in Nairobi.
Erick Munene, an auditor and standards expert at Partner Africa, highlights the gaps in poultry welfare compliance. “We have been working with farmers across five counties to assess their awareness of animal welfare standards. We found that most farmers were unaware of existing regulations, and only 21% had achieved compliance. Many farms were not designed with proper housing, sun orientation, or food safety measures in mind,” Munene explained.
He stressed that handling chickens’ post-production remains a major challenge.”How farmers slaughter, transport, and store poultry meat greatly impacts quality. Stress during slaughter negatively affects meat quality, However, enforcement of these standards is lacking due to the fragmented market system.”
Kenya has made significant strides in global standards for tea and vegetables, but poultry meat standards remain poor because much of it is consumed locally without stringent oversight. “There is a need for stakeholders to take up different parts of the poultry value chain to ensure better management and enforcement of welfare standards,” Munene added.
Carol Wambui, a poultry farmer from Kamulu with 500 chickens, implemented free-range farming after attending the training session. “I previously kept my chickens in confined structures, but after the conference, I built a house that allows them to perch and move freely. As a result, I have fewer health issues, no cannibalism, and better overall productivity,” she said. “Farmers should prioritize animal welfare to achieve better harvests.”
Dr. Denis Bahati from Africa Animal Welfare (ANAW) emphasized the importance of
humane poultry handling. “ANAW collaborated with Partner Africa to assess poultry production in Kenya. While many farmers comply with some standards, transportation, marketing, and slaughter remain major concerns. Chickens are often carried upside down on vehicles, subjected to extreme stress, and kept in cages without food or water at market stalls.”
Bahati stressed that improving poultry welfare directly correlates with better productivity and profitability. “Animals raised in better welfare conditions are more productive and provide higher income for farmers. Consumers are increasingly demanding cage-free eggs due to health benefits, with supermarkets like Carrefour now stocking them. Farmers who transition to ethical poultry practices will access better markets.”
As Kenya’s poultry industry evolves, adherence to welfare standards will be key in ensuring better quality meat, increased productivity, and expanded market opportunities for farmers.