Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, spouse to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has visited the renowned DY Dairy Farm in Githunguri as part of a familiarization tour on modern dairy farming practices.
The high-profile visit was hosted by Njenga Mabati, a lawyer and parliamentary aspirant for Githunguri Constituency on a DCP party ticket. DY Farm, widely regarded as one of the most productive farms in the region, provided a platform to showcase innovative approaches transforming small-scale dairy farming into a high-yield agribusiness.
Speaking during the tour, Pastor Dorcas expressed admiration at the farm’s efficiency, noting with amazement how 75 dairy cows are reared on just half an acre of land while producing over 2,000 litres of milk daily.
“This is a clear demonstration that with the right knowledge, technology, and management, farming can be both sustainable and highly profitable,” she said.
The delegation was taken through several key innovations that have positioned DY Farm as a benchmark for modern dairy farming in Central Kenya and beyond on automated milking systems where the farm utilizes advanced milking technology to improve efficiency and significantly reduce labour costs.
The delegation was taken through silage production and storage and they observed large-scale silage preparation, with storage capacity capable of holding feed from over 100 acres of maize, digital record keeping which is a comprehensive system for breeding, production tracking, and herd management ensures precision farming.
The visitors also learned on cost and human resource management that the farm integrates financial discipline with structured workforce management to maximize output.
Disease control and calf rearing is also an ares where strong emphasis is placed on animal health and sustainable breeding practices at the farm where renewable energy use, solar power and biogas systems help cut operational costs while promoting environmental sustainability.
The visitors were also taught on data driven farming that automated data entry and analytics support timely and informed decision-making.
The visit concluded with a farm-to-table luncheon hosted at the facility, where stakeholders engaged in discussions on scaling dairy farming practices across the region.
In her closing remarks, Pastor Dorcas invited farmers from Githunguri to visit her farming initiatives in Wamunyoro Village in Mathira Constituency for further knowledge exchange and collaboration.
Host Njenga Mabati used the occasion to reaffirm his commitment to uplifting the agricultural sector in Githunguri, particularly dairy farming, which remains the backbone of the local economy.
He pledged to champion policies that guarantee minimum returns for farmers’ produce, addressing persistent challenges such as fluctuating milk prices, high production costs, and expensive animal feed.
“I am committed to ensuring our farmers get fair value for their hard work. Agriculture is not just an economic activity here—it is a way of life,” he stated.
Mabati, who is intensifying his bid for the Githunguri parliamentary seat in the 2027 general election, outlined a broader agenda focused on economic empowerment of smallholder farmers, women, and youth groups. He positioned himself as a “leader of action,” advocating for practical solutions, improved agricultural infrastructure, and market stability.
DY Farm continues to attract attention as a training hub for farmers across East Africa, reinforcing Githunguri’s reputation as a leading dairy farming zone in Kenya.
The visit by Pastor Dorcas Rigathi underscores growing interest in modern agricultural practices and collaboration between leaders and farmers in driving food security and economic growth.
As the 2027 political landscape begins to take shape, such engagements highlight the central role agriculture will play in shaping both policy and livelihoods in the region.
