Kenya poultry sector pushes back against Machakos chicken movement fee

The Association warns that the regulation could severely damage the region’s poultry industry and wipe out livelihoods that depend on it.

The lobby group — which represents breeders, farmers, and processors nationwide — has urgently sought a meeting with Governor Wavinya Ndeti to address what it terms an “existential threat” to poultry farming in the county.

In a statement, KPDA cautioned that the fee is poised to spike production and distribution costs at a time when smallholder farmers are already grappling with surging input expenses and imported poultry products flooding the market.

“This decision will hit small producers the hardest, stifle local agribusiness growth, and eliminate thousands of income opportunities,” the Association warned. “Millions of Kenyans rely on poultry for both food and livelihood. Burdening farmers further risks collapsing household economies.”

Machakos County is a notable hub for small-scale poultry farming, with many households relying on the sector as a primary or supplementary source of income. Rising feed costs, taxation on agricultural inputs, and competitive pressures from cheaper imports have already strained the industry. KPDA argues that the new levy adds another unnecessary layer of hardship. 

The group also noted that poultry rearing remains a critical economic lifeline for women and youth in rural areas, providing funds for essentials such as school fees, medical care, and food security.

According to the Association, the movement fee undermines national efforts to strengthen agricultural value chains, rural incomes, and food security. KPDA is urging Machakos County to suspend implementation and collaborate on “evidence-based, farmer-friendly revenue measures” that do not weaken the industry.