Introduction:
Nyeri County, perched in the lush Central Highlands of Kenya, is renowned for its temperate climate, fertile soils, and abundant freshwater resources sourced from rivers and springs cascading off the Aberdare Range. For decades, its’ economy has thrived on coffee, tea, and dairy farming—sectors that shaped its identity and sustained its rural communities.
However, the landscape is shifting. Climate variability has disrupted traditional farming cycles, rainfall patterns have become erratic, and arable land is increasingly fragmented due to population pressure and urban expansion. At the same time, youth unemployment continues to rise, and smallholder farmers face diminishing returns from conventional agriculture. These converging challenges have prompted a strategic pivot—toward aquaculture.
Fish farming is emerging as a viable and transformative alternative. It requires less land, adapts well to changing weather conditions, and offers high nutritional value and market potential. Recognizing this, the County Government of Nyeri, in collaboration with development partners such as the Aquaculture Business Development Programme (ABDP), has rolled out a multi-pronged strategy to promote aquaculture as a tool for economic empowerment and food security.
This success story highlights how Nyeri County through a collaborative approach is harnessing fish farming to empower smallholders, diversify livelihoods, and build a more food-secure future by spotlighting the story of 2 farmers; Peter Mwangi and Christopher Mureithi whose exemplary stories are transforming aquaculture in Nyeri County.
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