Business mogul Chris Kirubi had a diverse investment portfolio that spanned sectors such as agriculture, media, and manufacturing, encompassing both private and publicly listed companies.

Among his many ventures, Bendor Farm in Thika stood out as his favourite. Spanning 1,000 acres, the farm featured a prominent man-made lake known as Lake Kirubi.

In a 2014 video tour, Kirubi shared that his decision to purchase the farm was largely influenced by this water body, which he described as consistently full and even occasionally home to a few hippos.

He emphasised a collaborative approach to farm management, valuing input from both his farm manager and long-serving workers.

Due to the sheer size of the property, Kirubi noted that getting around required either a horse or a vehicle.

Lake Kirubi, covering about 15 acres, played a crucial role in sustaining the farm. Kirubi had ambitions to make the lake a recreational hub, encouraging activities such as fishing and water skiing.

"Water is life," he said, stressing that the farm's success hinged on this reliable water source throughout the year.

Initially, Kirubi cultivated coffee but became disillusioned with the low market prices.

He later transitioned to other crops, establishing what he claimed to be the largest banana plantation in Kenya, covering between 250 and 300 acres.

The rest of the land was dedicated to avocado farming for export, although the trees had not yet matured.

In footage shared by Churchill, a worker was seen transporting a large bunch of bananas to a processing station, with banana stalks lining the roadways.

Kirubi, wearing a face mask, appeared engaged in discussion with another man who seemed to be overseeing operations.

An aerial view of the farm highlighted the lake’s central location, surrounded by rows of banana trees.

A network of dirt roads intersected the vast property, making different areas easily accessible.

In other news, former National Police Service spokesperson Charles Owino found success in aquaculture with his Western Aqua Fish Farm, located along the Busia-Kisumu Road.

The venture began over a decade ago after a visit to Uganda inspired him to explore fish farming.

He identified a promising opportunity in breeding and selling fingerlings to other farms.

The process at his facility starts with hatching eggs in nursery tanks, followed by grading the young fish in an indoor hatchery before transferring them to outdoor ponds.

These ponds are equipped with protective nets to deter birds. The farm specialises in raising tilapia and catfish, and operations are overseen by a manager who demonstrated the entire setup in a video.

Owino’s business grew into a profitable and sustainable enterprise.

Source: TUKO.co.ke