About 500 metres from Ndagani shopping centre off Nairobi-Meru road lies Cefra Eco-tourism farm which has become home to more than 11 varieties of exotic birds and reptiles like crocodiles and tortoises. The farm which sits on a two-acre plot was initially started as an agritourism farm where people visit and see the birds, and crops such as hybrid bananas at a small fee.
The farm which sits on a two-acre plot was initially started as an agritourism farm where people visit and see the birds, and crops such as hybrid bananas at a small fee.
Ms Barnice Wambui, the farm manager says the farm has since put up rooms for accommodating visitors as well as a restaurant where meat and eggs from the exotic birds are served.
The sumptuous delicacies are a hit among visitors who have been streaming in to see the birds imported from different parts of the world.
The poultry not seen by many Kenyans before, wear feathers of different shapes, sizes and texture, and wear them with deserved pride.
They are the type of poultry you want in your coops for show, or as pets, not for slaughter.
There is the Frizzled, the Silkie, the Ring-necked pheasant, Belgian bearded, or the All Black.
Jersey giant (hen) American Pekin duck, Roen, Cayuga duck, Oland goose, Fan-tail pigeon, Vulturine guinea fowl, have the tastiest, fleshiest and healthiest, meat.
She added that Mr Franklin Riungu, the owner, has a strong passion for animals and birds, reason he resigned from Barclays Bank where he was a sales manager in charge of Nairobi East region to venture into agri-tourism.
The whole venture cost him about Sh10 million with the bulk going to putting up of appropriate structures.
Other birds kept at the farm include Bantams (Pekin, silkie, fizzle, Japanese and Belgian bearded ) ring neck pheasants, ducks, turkeys, Egyptian geese, guinea fowls (lavender, pied and pearl), fantail pigeons, peacocks and brahma chicken.
Ms Wambui says that they import most of the exotic breeds which are first taken to Ngong in Kajiado where they breed as they also adapt to new environment.
Wambui said weekends are the best days for them in terms of demand for the poultry.
”The elderly are great customers.” she said.
Wambui revealed that some like pequins are kept mainly to aid in egg-hatching just as the geese which are kept near the gate to act as ‘’watchmen’’
By Correspondent
