Ignatius Gathigi Kahiu
Livestock Agribusiness & ASAL Resources Expert
Nairobi
Summary
Dr. Ignatius Kahiu is an accomplished project management professional with over 24 years of experience leading the entire project lifecycle of USDA and USAID livestock programs in Africa. Dr. Kahiu, a veterinarian, is knowledgeable in poultry production, animal health, and veterinary services for small- and medium-sized enterprises, public-sector institutions, and small-holder farmers. He has improved livestock export outcomes and agricultural development and has supported the market system by enabling support services and environments within Kenya, Uganda, Somalia, and the East African region. He has published articles on livestock production and farmers’ livelihoods that established innovative agricultural research and development practices. Additionally, his work integrates food and nutrition security with livelihoods and biodiversity conservation. Dr. Kahiu’s skills in managing and overseeing large USDA and USAID livestock projects allow him to effectively address food security and ensure a robust transformation of the poultry sector. He is a past Vice President of the World Veterinary Association for Africa and has been an active member of knowledge management and research think tanks within the Horn of Africa regional framework.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
1
1
Language
Work History
Chief of Party
Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture’s (CNFA)
- Oversaw technical leadership, ensuring the achievement of project deliverables and maintaining efficient collaboration with USAID Kenya and USAID East Africa, subcontractors, grantees, collaborators, and beneficiaries.
- Developed project partnerships with appropriate livestock value chain stakeholders.
- Used $1.2 million in grant funding to support the Government of Kenya in administering vaccinations to cattle, sheep, goats, and donkeys.
- Garnered $87,209 in agricultural rural loans extended to livestock producers and enterprises.
- Supported 25,439 households to participate in the project interventions.
- Monitored grant matching of 225 livestock-based enterprises and associations.
- USAID Feed the Future $10M project, Kenya Dry-Lands Livestock Development Program (KDLDP)
Project Coordinator
Africare’s USAID $74M project
01.2004
- Increased the quantity of food produced and reduced post-harvest losses, resulting in improvements in farmers’ families’ access to food. An estimated 21,252 households (around 150,000 people) in 144 villages in the districts of Kabale, Kisoro, Ntungamo, Kanungu, and Rukungiri were reached. (UFSI-II)
- Reduced food insecurity and improved nutrition through the distribution of food rations to 42,000 people living with HIV/AIDS. (MYAP)
- Uganda Food Security Initiative Phase Two (UFSI-II), and USAID $74M project, Title II Multi-Year Assistance Program (MYAP)
Chief of Party
Lutheran World Relief / Corus International
10.2024 - 07.2025
- Kuku Biashara Project- Funded by USDA/ Food for Progress.
- Timeframe: 1 October 2024- September 2029
- Total Award: USD 35,030,000
- Priority Sector: Poultry and feed Value Chain.
- Project Focus: Transforming the poultry sector with a focus on small and medium enterprises.
- Project Terminated By USDA.
Consultant
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Somalia
01.2023 - 01.2024
- Collaborated with FAO staff and the Somalia Ministry of Livestock, Forestry, and Range to develop the National Livestock Export Strategy for Somalia (NLESS) to commercialize beef production and exportation for national and international markets. The NLESS addresses the gaps not covered by the National Livestock Policy (2006-2016), the Somalia National Development Plan 2020 to 2024 (NDP-9), the Livestock Development Strategy, and other existing national policies/laws that promote livestock export from Somalia.
- Managed interviews with key informants, including livestock traders, exporters, government extension personnel, and regulatory agencies, to collate national livestock export practices and analyze strengths and weaknesses.
- Developed livestock regulatory practices and policy frameworks on export strategy for camels, cattle, sheep, and goats to enhance private-public sector engagement.
- Strengthened implementation plan for mainstreaming sanitary and Phyto-Sanitary (SPS) standards and other international standards for quality and safe livestock products.
- Support Office in Nairobi, Kenya
Consultant
Land O’ Lakes Inc. – Venture 37
01.2023 - 01.2023
- Secured the KNPA project quality forage activities to increase livestock productivity for New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (NKCC) milk supplier primary cooperatives hubs for the 13 factories and bulk milk collection centers in Kenya.
- Connected the project with local county governments' departments of agriculture, livestock production, and extension services.
- Reported observations and programmatic recommendations to the project to further commercialize the forage market systems for dairy producer cooperatives in Kenya.
- Prepared and delivered a report on XXX to the Advisory Committee for their review.
Team Leader
East Africa Market Development Associates (EAMDA)
01.2021 - 01.2022
- Under a USDA project, contracted to conduct a detailed assessment of Kenya’s bovine genetics market and guide the Livestock Genetics Society of East Africa (LGS-EA) in their strategic organizational planning.
- Interviewed institutional organizations that focus on the supply of slaughter and meat processing equipment.
- Analyzed the production of livestock and products in the meat processing industry.
- Reported on the assessment of the livestock situation and meat processing industry in Kenya.
Chief of Party
Land O’ Lakes Inc. – Venture 37
01.2013 - 01.2017
- K-SALES focused on boosting market and trade to meet consumer demand for red meat.
- Managed the K-SALES project workload, including all financial, planning, and administrative compliance and reporting.
- Supervised the development of local staff and consultants/managers capable of continuing Land O’ Lakes work over the long term.
- Represented USDA, host government, community groups, and other relevant stakeholders at programmatic meetings.
- Supported the increase of trained farmers by 26% by investing in fodder preservation or commercial fodder production to mitigate recurrent drought and the effects of climate change.
- Increased farmers’ annual incomes by 11% from livestock enterprises by increasing their efficiency.
- Established 229 community-based water points managed by registered Water User Associations (WUAS), benefitting 239,000 direct and indirect livestock producer families.
- Linked 8,000 livestock enterprises with financial institutions to leverage rural loans valued at $558,000 total.
- USDA $20M, Kenya Semi-Arid Livestock Enhancement Support (K-SALES) project
Deputy Chief of Party / Livestock Specialist
CNFA’s USAID Feed the Future $10M project, KDLDP
01.2012 - 01.2013
- Directed technical and support teams in Garissa for KDLDP to develop the livestock initiatives for the five program areas.
- Supervised field technical teams in animal health, gender support, livestock production and marketing, and value addition of livestock and products.
- Managed and coordinated with partners organizations, e.g., AGMARK and Kenya Livestock Marketing Council, to implement program activities.
Agribusiness Specialist
CNFA’s USAID Feed the Future $10M project, KDLDP
01.2010 - 01.2011
- Developed marketing and new business strategies.
- Provided capacity development to local private and public sector business partners to implement developed strategies.
- Managed value-addition activities.
Assistant Country Director
TechnoServe, Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2004
- Guided the Kenyan Coast Division’s team to support 3,000 rural households to improve their income and food security outcomes.
- Collaborated with agribusiness support services such as milk traders, milk bar vendors, agro-vet shop dealers, and CBAHWs in four of Kenya’s coastal districts.
- Oversaw team management and established program direction and collaboration with other donor-funded and government-run programs.
Dairy Technical Operations Manager
TechnoServe, Inc.’s USAID’s Food for Peace Program
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Diversified the incomes and increased food security of 3,000 rural households by supporting the USAID Food for Peace program implementation with partners, farmers, and micro-entrepreneurs.
- Guided the assistance of small-scale women farmers’ groups in establishing dairy zero-grazing units and securing dairy cows.
- Established linkages for supplying milk and dairy products to the tourist hotels and lodges scattered throughout the Kenyan coastal towns.
- Managed micro-enterprise development for selected entrepreneurs to establish milk cooling units, milk transport services, milk processing, and value-added business services.
Education
Master of Science (MSc) - Organizational Development
United States International University Africa
Nairobi, Kenya01.2016
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine - undefined
The University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya01.1983
Skills
Client relationship building
References
- Fred, Ogana, MANAGING PARTNER, fred@eamarketdevelopment.com, +254 722 715 772, +254 713 075 215, East Africa Market Development Associates Ltd, End of Cedar Road, Off Lantana Road, Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya, 1529-00606, Skype: fredogana, www.eamarketdevelopment.com
- Alan, Piper, President & Chief Executive Officer & Chief Operating Officer, apiper@cnfa.org, 202.296.3920, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture, 1828 L Street NW Suite 402, Washington D.C., 20036, Website: www.cnfa.org
- S.J., Muchina Munyua, Consultant, munyuamuchina2001@gmail.com, +254 721 696 965, +254 736 885 684, Nairobi, Kenya, 54493, 00100
Publications
- “The Impact of Farmer Field School on Livestock Production: The Case of Land O’ Lakes / United States Department of Agriculture Kenya Semi-Arid Livestock Enhancement Support Project in Machakos County” (A Research Project Report Submitted to the Chandaria School of Business in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the MSc. - http://erepo.usiu.ac.ke/11732/2852 Date: 2016
- Incentives and disincentives for stakeholder involvement in participatory research (PR): Lessons from Potato-Related PR from Bolivia, Ethiopia, Peru, and Uganda; International Journal of Agricultural Sustainability, October 25, 2011. - http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/tags20
- Innovation Africa: Enriching Farmers’ Livelihoods: (Co-Author), - Edited by Pascal C. Sanginga, Anne Waters-Bayer, Susan Kaaria, Jemimah Njuki, and Chesha Wettasinha, Earthscan Publishing for Sustainable Future, London & Sterling, VA; 2009. www.earthscan.co.uk
- Farmer First Revisited: Innovation for Agricultural Research and Development, (Co-Author) – Edited by Ian Scoones and John Thompson with a forward by Robert Chambers; Institute of Development Studies, Brighton, UK; 2009. www.ids.ac.UK
Timeline
Chief of Party
Lutheran World Relief / Corus International
10.2024 - 07.2025
Consultant
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) Somalia
01.2023 - 01.2024
Consultant
Land O’ Lakes Inc. – Venture 37
01.2023 - 01.2023
Team Leader
East Africa Market Development Associates (EAMDA)
01.2021 - 01.2022
Chief of Party
Land O’ Lakes Inc. – Venture 37
01.2013 - 01.2017
Deputy Chief of Party / Livestock Specialist
CNFA’s USAID Feed the Future $10M project, KDLDP
01.2012 - 01.2013
Agribusiness Specialist
CNFA’s USAID Feed the Future $10M project, KDLDP
01.2010 - 01.2011
Project Coordinator
Africare’s USAID $74M project
01.2004
Assistant Country Director
TechnoServe, Inc.
01.2001 - 01.2004
Dairy Technical Operations Manager
TechnoServe, Inc.’s USAID’s Food for Peace Program
01.2000 - 01.2001
Chief of Party
Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture’s (CNFA)
Bachelor of Veterinary Medicine - undefined
The University of Nairobi
Master of Science (MSc) - Organizational Development
United States International University Africa