In a country where unemployment plagues over 2.89 million people, one woman’s unconventional venture into snail farming is creating waves of opportunity.
Wangui Waweru, owner of Gold Dust Snail Farm, has transformed her initial squeamishness into a thriving business, earning up to Ksh90,000 monthly from her mollusk-filled greenhouse.
Waweru’s journey began in 2017 with an accidental taste of snail meat, sparking a fascination that led her to Uganda and Kigali for hands-on learning. Despite facing social stigma and accusations of witchcraft, she persisted, driven by her belief in the untapped potential of snails as a food source and pet.
About 15 kilometres from Nakuru town, in the Lanet area, Waweru’s farm is a hive of activity. With its proximity to the Lanet Airstrip, she envisions a future where upgraded air transport facilities will allow her to export her produce globally.
Her farm, a modest 10m by 10m greenhouse, is carefully partitioned into four rooms, each housing plastic basins covered with fine wire mesh to protect the snails from predators.
The demand for snail delicacies is rising, fueled by the increasing number of immigrants from West Africa and Asia who bring their culinary traditions to Kenya. According to the United Nations Trade and Development (UNCTAD), Kenya has become a significant destination for immigrants, creating a niche market for snail meat.
Waweru’s primary customers are expatriates from Europe, Asia, and West Africa, who appreciate the high protein and low cholesterol benefits of snail meat. Locals, however, remain hesitant to embrace this unconventional delicacy.
"Snails are a common delicacy among communities in West Africa," Waweru explains, highlighting her market among Ghanaians, Cameroonians, Nigerians, Senegalese, Sierra Leonians, and Togolese, as well as South Americans and Asians.
The Giant African land snail, the largest species in the world, thrives in Kenya's hot and humid climate. Waweru rears 4,500 of these snails (Achatina fulica), selling them at between Ksh2,000 to Ksh3,000 per kilogramme.
These hermaphroditic creatures, capable of producing 300 to 500 eggs every three months, offer a rapid population increase, making them an attractive option for farmers. The eggs hatch after 11 to 15 days.
Kenya's Wildlife Conservation and Management Act of 2013 supports the farming of snails, among other animals. The Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) issues permits, conducts facility assessments, and monitors farm management.
Farmers must obtain certification before selling snails for consumption in hotels or for export, and they are required to submit quarterly reports to KWS.