UASIN GISHU, Kenya – Many urban centres in Kenya are growing and expanding rapidly, forcing businesses to strengthen methods to protect their businesses.
That has made Kennedy Nyandimo, a resident of Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, devise a unique way to earn income through dog breeding.
Nyandimo rears dogs and rents them to residents and businesses in the town for a certain fee to protect their businesses for a specific period.
He has been running the business for nine years in Maili Nne estate on the outskirts of Eldoret town.
When Y News visited him recently, he said he decided to venture into the business after noticing increased crime cases in the North Rift town.
He said the inspiration also came from his love for the animals.
When we arrived at his home, he was already preparing five dogs hired by several people and organizations to provide protection services on various streets in the city.
What are the dog breeds reared by Kennedy Nyandimo
He rears Boerboel, Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Great Dane, and Golden Retriever dogs, among others.
Usually, customers pick up the dogs at Nyandimo’s home at 5pm every day, as they must be at their desired locations by 6pm.
“I decided to expand my business in 2015 when I realized that this city is proliferating, and the population has increased yearly. The need for security increased as the population increased,” said Nyandimo.
So far, Nyandimo has more than 20 dogs that he breeds. He rents each dog for Sh 500 for one night and provides protection services.
“I can rent a dog to a customer for one week. Our agreements are the kind of food he should give them because they have to make sure their health is always good,” he explained.
How much JKennedy Nyandimo earns from dog breeding
That means one dog gives him Sh 3,500 in one week or Sh 14,000 in one month.
Similarly, he says he can earn up to Sh 280,000 per month if he rents all the dogs and none have health problems.
He says the business has enabled him to create jobs by hiring people who help him manage them.
“Through this business, I have bought the land where I live. It has also helped me start other businesses in this town,” he said.
Apart from renting them, he usually sells them to locals and other people who find it good to own them.
“Even when we sell them, their prices vary according to the type and weight of the dog in question. Most of our customers are companies that provide security services that do not need a lot of dogs in their daily activities,” he explained.
He said his neighbours are thrilled, as the business has enabled him to strengthen security in the area.
“My neighbours are always happy because they are guaranteed their protection. We have dogs that can identify the whereabouts of lost or stolen livestock due to their ability to smell. However, I always charge them a small fee for such services,” he added.
What are the challenges of dog breeding
Despite this success, he says the biggest challenge in raising these animals is feeding them and maintaining their health.
Nyandimo reiterated that it costs him a lot of money to feed the pets, so anyone who plans to venture into the business must be ready to cover their needs.
“These dogs must be fed well. The food we give them is expensive, but we must do it because we have been seeing the results. When they get sick, we must call qualified and well-recognized doctors. It is a business that requires a lot of dedication,” he explained.
Another piece of advice from Nyandimo for those planning to start a business is that they must love dogs.
“If you love dogs, you will not find it difficult to cover their needs because they are expensive. They are animals that need a lot of attention to provide good service to customers,” he explained.
