Famous Journalist Quits His JOB To Build a Ksh.800,000 Chicken Empire

"Caleb Karuga  gave up his fame on TV and worked out an exit plan from  his reporter''s job last year, leased a one acre plot and today he  is headed to be a millionaire"

For six years, Caleb Karuga was known in Kenya's TV scene as a journalist who would go to any length to profile low
income earners, But Caleb always thought even though the job he had was emotionally fulfilling, he was not economically satisfied.

"My job opened doors for me in several African countries that I traveled to. I met the who-is-who, had a good name, but I was not impressed by my bank balance. I decided to venture into my true love; farming. I knew this venture could earn me a handsome income if I put my mind to it" he says.

Like many youths, Caleb's family had a very small piece of land---quarter an acre. With five beneficiaries to the land, he could not rely on it.

 "I leased an acre of land in Kikuyu and started to build structures for kienyeji chicken. The lease costs me Sh 8,000 a year!" he explains his humble beginnings.

He continues, "I bought three kienyeji chicken and three pigs. One does not have to start big. That is the mistake most young people make." The former journalist who says he loves researching on issues says he learnt about the KARI (Kenya Agricultural Research Institute) Improved Kienyeji chicken on the internet.

"I bought 500 Day-Old KARI Improved Kienyeji Chicken after I lost many indigenous chicken I had bought from several farmers in order to increase my stock. Most of them were not vaccinated" he adds.
He did this as he was preparing an exit from his reporter's job and by the time he left in August last year after six years as a journalist, he was already making money as a poultry farmer.
Today, his Kikuyu farm has over 1,500 Kienyeji chicken, while two other pieces of land in Nanyuki and Nyeri have 400 and 200 Kienyeji chicken  respectively.

Although the Kienyeji chicken take longer to mature, Caleb chose them because they are cheaper to feed and are quite disease resistant. "I sell a one day chick at Sh 100 and a kienyeji egg at Sh 15 or Sh 20. A full grown Kienyeji chicken goes for about Sh 800 while the broilers/ ex layers go for Sh 270-Sh 300. When you do your maths, you realize that the Kienyeji chicken is more profitable," says the former TV reporter.

At times, he sells cocks at Sh 1,200 and above during holidays such as April, August and December. "In most cases, I determine the  cost of the chicken since the demand for Kienyeji meat far outstrips supply. It's a very good business."

Wendy Farm currently employs six youth. On a good month, Caleb says the Kienyeji chicken can earn him about 600,000/= or more. "God has been very faithful to me despite the challenges I face every day"

Caleb who is the Managing Director of his company, cautions the youth, "You can lose that job you have today. Don't be obsessed with a formal job or get stuck at the climax of success. Look for a way in which you can have a plan B business to carry you during hard times. Create employment, don't look for it.