Baringo: Enock Kimosop, a man thriving in the goat business, has shared how a KSh 2 million gift from President William Ruto helped him increase his number of goats and better utilise his form of transportation.

Enock Kimosop when he was gifted by William Ruto (l), the Efarmer founder (r). Photo: Enock Kimosop. Source: UGC

How was Efarmer Goats idea conceived?

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Kimosop shared that the concept of the Efarmer Goats Initiative, which transforms goat farming through innovation, was conceived on December 1, 2023, during the annual Kimalel Goat Auction.

“I was inspired by speeches from dignitaries at the event, which emphasised the need to make the process of buying and selling goats digital,” he said.

“The idea of selling goats online took root as a way to modernise the traditional goat farming business and address challenges in market access,” he added.

How did Kimosop get Efarmer website started?

Enock started to put his idea in motion; he reached out to his friends from Strathmore and another lady who helped build the website.

The site went live on April 2, 2024, and the group had a vision of transforming the website into an app within a year if it was successful.

Just as with many other businesses, Enock didn’t have all the cash needed to start, so he got together with some friends, and they contributed KSh 150,000 each; in the end, they had a capital of KSh 600,000, and they started their businesses of selling goats online.

How else did the Kimalel meeting help Efarmer?

“Our first sales took place during the Idd Mubarak celebrations in 2024, where we successfully sold 200 goats to individuals and butcheries; some were taking upto 10,” said Enock.

On December 17, 2024, Enock returned to the Kimalel Goat Auction to showcase his firm’s initiative. The president and other stakeholders helped them gain significant visibility, allowing them to penetrate the market at an accelerated pace.

“The KSh 2 million from the president helped boost the businesses with more goats. Initially, we were also transporting a few goats which was costly but now they can get return on investment,” he said.

“Despite our progress, transportation costs remain a significant challenge. Renting trucks for goat transportation is expensive and inefficient. To address this, we are actively exploring options to acquire our own lorry, which would greatly reduce logistics costs and enhance profitability,” he added.

How does Efarmer source goats?

Over time, Efarmer Goats identified reliable sources of the animals, ensuring consistent supply and competitive pricing.

Once Efarmer Goats has found the best breeds needed by the clients, they transport them on a lorry to Nairobi, where they have since found a holding ground in Rongai. At the holding ground, the goats are fed well and rest.

“It is important that they are fed and rest well so that their kgs do not go down after slaughtering,” insisted Enock.

Enock Kimosop at the Kimamel goat auction (r), some of the goats being sold (l). Photos: Enock Kimosop. Source: UGC

How has the evolution of Efarmer happened over time?

Today, Efarmer Goats has established a foothold in international markets as well, and Enock said that they now have a client from Dubai who orders 1000 goats from them on a monthly basis.

“We are managing 300 goats weekly and we sell to him per kilogram. There is also another Saudi Arabia client who is reliable,” he said.

Efarmer Goats prioritises reliability and efficiency. They aim to build client trust while empowering local farmers through sustainable practices and innovative solutions.

One such solution is a mobile app where farmers will be able to upload their goats for sale directly onto the platform, connecting them to buyers within their region.

“This platform will be cost-effective, with farmers only paying a small website application fee,” said Enock.

“We aim to fully exploit global opportunities, increasing our export capacity to handle goat sales in bulk quantities (measured in tons),” he added.

There are also farmer empowerment programs, where Efarmer Goats buys kids from farmers for KSh 6,000, provides guidance on rearing them, and facilitates sales at significantly higher prices (between Ksh 12,000 and Ksh 15,000) after a year.

This initiative ensures farmers achieve higher returns while enhancing their rearing skills.

Efarmer’s goats being held before they are sold. Photos: Enock Kimosop. Source: UGC

What are some of the challenges Kimosop faced?

Efarmer Goats expanded its reach to Nairobi, selling both through the website and offline. However, the initial phase was marked by significant challenges.

Among them was the high cost of transportation; transporting goats using large trucks, despite having only a few goats per trip, inflated operational costs.

“Inconsistent and high purchase prices for goats in some regions negatively impacted profitability. These logistical and supply chain issues led to initial losses, prompting us to refine our operations,” shared Enock.

Apparently, the future of goat farming in Kenya lies in technology, collaboration, and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Efarmer Goats said they embody those values as they continue to grow and transform.

Thika farmer frustrated by gate prices turns to grocery business

Elsewhere, on January 13, 2024, Sebastian Peter became the proud owner of two grocery shops in Thika Ngoingwa Estate, Mangu Road.

According to Peter, a friend lent him money to start leasing land for his vegetables, but later, he was frustrated by people who would buy them at KSh 3 and sell them between KSh 50 and KSh 100.

Speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Peter shared that he started as a hawker for his produce, such as kales, but over time, gate prices frustrated him, and he opted to start food kiosks.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke