Farmers count losses amid Swine Flu outbreak in Kiambu

Peter Gitonga Kimani now says that he is back to square one as he pleads with the government to help cushion farmers who have lost their source of livelihood. 

Gitonga narrates painfully how his thriving farm worth millions turned empty and how years of investment disappeared within 72 hours.

"I had 156 pigs and during this day on 24th June 2026 my farm was hit by the African swine flu and I lost all my stock," Gitonga noted. 

"At around 7 in the evening the first batch of 109 pigs died and by 25th June morning only 6 were left and at night they all died." 

African swine fever, is a highly contagious viral disease of pigs with no known cure or commercially available vaccine.

The common symptoms include, among others, high fever, skin changes (reddening or darkening), behavioral shifts causing extreme weakness, lethargy, shivering and an unwillingness to stand or move. 

Bleeding through the nose, miscarriages and in extreme cases high mortality rates where pigs may die quickly with little prior warning. 

Each pig, according to current market estimates costs between 15 - 20,000 shillings, a loss peter says has taken a toll on him and his family

"My total loss is like Ksh.3 million. I was actually waiting for the mid-term to release them to the market but its so unfortunate that I have lost my entire stock and losing my daily bread because this is what my family depends on entirely," Gitonga said.

He is not alone. Since may 2026 the deadly virus has killed about 1500 pigs on more than 20 farms in Kiambu county. 

The department of veterinary services says that the government has heightened surveillance and response measures six other counties where the disease has also been reported including Tharaka-Nithi, Embu, Kakamega, Busia, Homa Bay and Migori. 

Farmers in affected regions have also been asked to enforce strict biosecurity measures to avert further spread.