Farmer in Baringo County Earning from Tortoises and Monitor Lizards

Joseph Kiprono, a farmer from Mogotio in Baringo County, has turned a unique agricultural venture into a lucrative business by domesticating reptiles, including tortoises and monitor lizards, also known as burukenges.

In a recent interview with Citizen TV, Kiprono explained that his interest in these reptiles began after witnessing the mistreatment of tortoises in his village. Many locals saw the creatures as crop-destroying pests and often killed them. This disturbed Kiprono, who decided to take action and sought a permit from the Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) to domesticate and protect them.

“Farmers would turn the tortoises upside down until they died. I wanted to save them,” Kiprono recalled. His decision, initially met with skepticism and fear, has since paid off. Today, Kiprono, along with his sons Moses and Andrew, runs a thriving business with over 3,000 tortoises and a growing population of monitor lizards.

Moses, Kiprono's son, introduced the monitor lizards, which have traditionally been viewed as pests, particularly due to their habit of consuming goat’s milk and causing udder swelling. "I always saw these lizards as enemies to my livestock. I never imagined they could be pets,” said Gilberto, a local resident of Baringo South.

Kiprono’s farm now focuses on breeding two species: Savanna monitor lizards and leopard tortoises. The farm currently houses over 20 adult monitor lizards, 80 hatchlings, and more than 500 tortoises. These reptiles are sold both locally and internationally, with monitor lizards being exported as a delicacy to countries like Hong Kong and China, where they are believed to have medicinal value.

A fully grown monitor lizard can fetch between KSh. 2,500 and KSh. 3,000, while a tortoise is sold for approximately KSh. 3,000. Kiprono's farm was recently recognized during the World Wildlife Day exhibition for its contribution to both wildlife conservation and providing sustainable livelihoods through the reptile farming business.

Joseph’s son, Andrew Chesire, pointed out that while local sales are profitable, selling to international markets yields much higher returns. He emphasized that obtaining the necessary licenses to export reptiles to countries that consume them, like Hong Kong and China, opens doors to significant profit.

Kiprono's innovative approach to farming has not only helped protect these reptiles but has also provided a new source of income, demonstrating how thinking outside the box in agribusiness can lead to success. His story is a testament to the potential hidden within Kenya's agricultural sector, where unconventional farming methods can yield great rewards.

For aspiring farmers looking to explore agribusiness opportunities, Kiprono's journey serves as inspiration. With Kenya's growing population and increasing demand for agricultural products, there has never been a better time to venture into agribusiness, even in unconventional sectors like reptile farming.

As Kiprono’s story shows, with a little innovation and a passion for wildlife conservation, anyone can turn a unique idea into a profitable venture.

March 31, 2025