Most Kenyans know that the Kenyatta family has invested heavily in agriculture and when it comes to farming, President Uhuru Kenyatta goes all out as his farm in Gicheha shows.
The 4000-acre farm is located a kilometre off the Nakuru-Eldoret highway and has over 1000 animals.
A majority of the animals reared in the expansive land are imported from South Africa and include Boer goats, Brangus, Charolais, Hereford, Brahman and Ankole from Uganda. Local breeds include the Borans and Sahiwals.
David Njoroge the farm manager told Nation journalists that the president loves the beef cattle so much that he visits virtually every corner of the farm inspecting the herd and making inquiries.
Before entering the farm, all visitors are required to disinfect themselves whether they come in on foot or vehicles. People are made to pass through a foot bath while cars are driven through a tyre bath.
Njoroge explained that large-scale beef farming is an expensive venture that requires very strict supervision so that diseases do not mess up the business.
To ensure the animals are in good health, the farm has employed a veterinary officer, who monitors the bulls 24 hours a day.
A tight vaccination regime has further helped the farm remain disease-free, two years after it was launched.
The ranch which employs about 30 workers, has a hay stock that can last for three years if the rains fail. At least 2,000 acres is dedicated for planting Boma Rhodes grass for hay production.
Each animal on the farm has a file that documents its history- breed name, date of birth, parent breed, hardiness, weight at birth, disease history, the reason for disposing it and expected maturity date for the market.
So far, not a single animal has been sold as the management builds up the stock and checks the monthly weight gain keenly.
