Machakos Poultry Farmers Revolt Against New Transport Fee, Warn of Industry Collapse

Tension is rising in Machakos County as angry poultry farmers protest a new transport fee they say could destroy one of Kenya’s most vital agricultural sectors. Under the recently introduced Machakos County Finance Act, farmers must now pay KSh 20 for every chicken moved out of the county — a policy that has ignited outrage and fear among small-scale producers.

For many farmers, this fee feels like the final blow to an already struggling industry. Poultry production in Machakos sustains thousands of households, with chickens from the county supplying major markets in Nairobi, Kajiado, Makueni, and Kitui. Yet farmers say they are already battling skyrocketing feed prices, costly veterinary medicine, high taxes on farm inputs, and competition from cheap imports. The new levy, they warn, will only deepen their financial pain.

Transporting 200 chickens to Nairobi now costs an extra KSh 4,000 — a figure that could push prices beyond what most consumers can afford. Many fear they will be forced out of business entirely if the government fails to reverse the decision. “We barely make a profit as it is,” one farmer lamented. “This is the difference between survival and shutting down.”

For rural families in Machakos, poultry farming is more than a livelihood — it’s a lifeline that pays for school fees, healthcare, and food. Farmers argue that instead of supporting them, the county is piling on new costs that threaten their very existence. They insist the government should be helping them access affordable feeds, vaccines, and training, not introducing charges that make farming unviable.

County officials defend the fee as a necessary step to improve disease control and strengthen veterinary services. They argue that regulating poultry movement is crucial in preventing outbreaks such as Newcastle disease and avian influenza. The revenue, they say, will fund animal inspections and enhance traceability.

But farmers aren’t convinced. They claim they were never consulted and view the policy as a disguised revenue collection scheme rather than a genuine animal health measure. The Kenya Poultry Breeders Association and other farmer groups are now calling on Governor Wavinya Ndeti to suspend the fee and open talks with stakeholders before the situation spirals further.

Experts warn that if the standoff continues, its effects will ripple far beyond Machakos. Nairobi, Thika, and Athi River rely heavily on poultry from the county, and any supply disruption could lead to soaring chicken prices, food shortages, and job losses across the value chain. Farmers are urging both county and national governments to rethink the approach — and to create policies that nurture agriculture instead of choking it with taxes and red tape.