Kiambu Farmers Who Were Gifted Piglets by County Govt Reap Big: "We Can See Results"
- A pig farming project launched by Governor Kimani Wamatangi is now paying off, with sows distributed last October already multiplying
- In Mangu Ward, farmers who received just one piglet each now have up to nine, marking a major step toward self-reliance
- Beneficiaries say the project, once mocked by some locals, is proving to be a reliable path to financial independence
- The county is also securing markets through partnerships, ensuring farmers can turn livestock growth into real income
CHECK OUT: How to Start Earning with Copywriting in Just 7 Days – Even if You’re a Complete Beginner
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
Eight months after Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi launched a programme to distribute free piglets as seed capital for pig farming ventures, the project is now bearing fruit after the sows began multiplying.
Source: Facebook
Beneficiaries of the programme in Mangu Ward in Gatundu North, where the programme was started in October 2024, are counting blessings after they recorded multiplication of the livestock, siring up to nine piglets each.
The programme has seen over 5,000 men and youth benefit so far, and according to Governor Wamatangi, it is part of his administration’s economic empowerment programme through agriculture, where women also received improved kienyeji chicks to start poultry farming.
Simon Muiruri, Augustine Gathii, and Boniface Mburu from Mwea village in Mangu were given one piglet each, which have now birthed between eight and nine piglets.
"Some people thought it was a joke and laughed at us but now we can see the results. If they continue multiplying at this rate then in the next two to three years I'll be moving toward achieving financial independence," said Muiruri.
What role are Kiambu partnerships playing in the success?
His sentiments were shared by Gathii and Mburu, who lauded the county government for going an extra mile to ensure there is a ready market for the pigs within Kiambu and beyond.
Source: UGC
County Chief Officer for Livestock John Kuria said that besides the distribution, the county government is working with various organisations, such as Farmers Choice, to provide a ready market for the animals.
"We want to put money in the pockets of our farmers and we are ready to knock every door and seek all the necessary partnerships to achieve this goal," he said.
How did Wamatangi kick-start start piglet program?
Wamatangi’s piglet distribution initiative began in late October 2024 in Mangu.
As part of his agricultural empowerment program, groups of young men received up to ten piglets each, along with starter feed, seed capital aimed at building agribusiness ventures across all 60 wards in the county.
Governor Wamatangi framed the scheme as an extension of his broader rural uplift strategy, which also includes distributing improved kienyeji (local) chicks to women, avocado seedlings, maize seeds, and fertiliser.
He emphasised support through extension services, agronomy training, and market linkages, designed to make these efforts sustainable rather than charitable.
One beneficiary, Paul Kimani, expressed optimism that by December, his piglets would begin breeding, enabling him to scale operations into sausage or bacon production.
He pointed out strong market demand—pork sells at around KSh 400/kg, and adult pigs fetch KSh 30,000–40,000, citing plans to collaborate with processing firms like Farmers Choice.
Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
