Kenyan student revives parents' chicken brood during school closure

Like many Kenyans who try their hand on something that can earn them some extra income, Robina Bosibori and her husband, Godfrey Ongeri, had tried raising chickens in their compound in Nairobi's Ongata Rongai township.

When they started keeping chickens two years ago, they had hoped that the chickens would multiply and allow them to sell eggs and chickens to their neighbors. However, being working parents, the chickens did not get the attention they deserved and at the beginning of this year, they only had 10 left.

Their fortunes were to change after the coronavirus pandemic struck and schools were closed to curb the spread of the virus.

"Once schools were closed, I wanted something to keep our children busy because I did not want them to spend the whole day watching television. I started giving them duties around the house and noticed that my daughters Ashleigh, had developed a great interest in the chickens," Bosibori said.

"Since the chickens were not doing so well at the time, she would get emotional if any chicken died and she decided to dedicate her time to improve the conditions they were living in," Bosibori added.

Ashleigh Kemunto, a grade six pupil at Ongata Royal Academy, said previously she took the chickens for granted but once schools were closed, she started paying attention because she spent the whole day at home with them.

"By spending time with the chickens, I developed a bond with them. They know me and I know them. That is why I started ensuring that I give them water and food regularly. By the time I started paying attention to the chickens there were only eight but currently we have almost 100 chicks and chickens," Ashleigh said.

According to Ashleigh, she faced challenges at the beginning because the chickens kept falling ill and dying. In addition, the hen house in which the chickens were kept was old and uncomfortable.

"I told my parents that the old house was uncomfortable for the chickens and eggs together, for small chicks would fall out leading to losses. I also asked them to follow up with a vet so that we could have the sick chickens treated and with their support, we were able to turn around the fate of the chickens," she said.

Workmen are building a new and bigger hen house that Bosibori hopes will offer better conditions for the chickens.

"Ashleigh's passion and commitment to the chickens since schools were closed revived my interest in the chickens. From her interest and persistence, we realized that the old house wasted a lot of chicken feed and the venture was not profitable," Bosibori said.

"That is why her father and I decided to invest in a new chicken house, because Ashleigh has proven to us that the chickens, if taken care of, can pay for their maintenance while earning some money as well," she said.

She added that because the brood has greatly improved since Ashleigh started taking care of the chickens, they now sell eggs and chickens on a regular basis and the money is enough to buy chicken feed.

Ashleigh said she has learned a lot by taking care of the chickens and the interest will carry on even after schools are reopened.

"Staying at home has made me develop a hobby that has kept me busy. I would like to tell other students to identify a hobby where they can learn something new and avoid being idle or watching television. They should get something practical to do," she said.