With the country's high unemployment rate, the youth are encouraged to start businesses and acquire technical skills to help them in entrepreneurship.
Since 1976, Cyrus Maina has been working in a field that he is most passionate about. Maina from Kiambu County breeds and sells dogs.
His interest in dogs began in Nyahururu in Laikipia County, after interacting with a local Catholic priest who gifted him with a German shepherd puppy.
Then Maina, a passionate and resilient youth, ventured into his career that has now spanned over 47 years.
In an interview, Maina shared the secrets to his success in the market, noting that with a capital of about Ksh20,000, one can start a dog breeding business.
He sells his dogs as puppies for about Ksh15,000 to families and tea farms. He also trains them and rents dogs to security firms nationwide.
The former Ulinzi Stars player and coach has at least 42 mature dogs under his watch, after renting others to security firms.
He also prides himself on creating employment, as he has hired two workers who tend to the dogs.
"The workers are trained on first aid so that they attend to emergencies in case they arise," he stated in an interview featured on Agenda Kenya.
Maina explained that the business has aided him in raising his family and enrolling his children in school.
Advice to Prospective Business People
Maina stated that those seeking to start a business must accumulate knowledge and be passionate about their role.
A dog's gestation period is about 60 days and according to Maina, a female dog can give birth to a litter of around 14 puppies.
A good diet for dogs, especially new mothers, is critical in the venture. He feeds them meat, eggs, cooked rice, and other foods with different nutrients.
"I feed the mature dogs once a day, especially at night. For the puppies, I feed them twice and every meal must contain milk," he stated.
Maina also emphasised the need for dogs to be vaccinated to avoid dying young and prevent other animal diseases.
Hygiene is another key aspect of good dog breeding. Maina explained that his dogs are sprayed twice a week, and the kennels are cleaned two times a week.
“I use kennels that are 5ft by 5ft and each hosts three mature dogs. The houses are made of strong wire mesh at the front, metal on the sides and the floor has timber. They are raised about a metre from the ground and underneath is concrete for ease of cleaning and good hygiene,” Maina revealed.
He advised fellow dog trainers to keep up with current trends and technology and ensure their dogs are healthy.
