After farmers reaped big from quail eggs and meat for the claimed medicinal value, Nakuru traders have now turned to rabbits.
The claims are similar to those made about quails and their eggs only that this time, there is an addition. Those in the know claim that rabbit urine is good for foliar fertiliser production.
Shadrack Wang’ombe, a farmer from Jumatatu in Kabazi Subukia Sub-county, says that rabbits are easy to rear and they bring much profit. Wang’ombe says that rabbit meat is available almost any time of the year and it is especially recommended during the hot summer months, as it does not contain the heating properties of most meats.
“Rabbit is more filling and easier to digest than other meats. This means that less meat is needed per meal,” added the farmer.
The farmer says he sells his rabbits for between Sh1,000 to 3,000 depending on the weight of the animal.
Doctor James Motanya, the medical superintendent at Molo District Hospital says rabbit meat is healthy and suitable for special diets.
“Rabbit also serves as a rich source of vitamin B3, containing 35.8 percent of the amount your need each day. This vitamin, commonly known as niacin, aids in converting carbohydrates to energy and manufacturing a variety of sex hormones,” added the doctor.
Some ambitious youths like Peter Njuki, commonly known as Nyama Sungura by his clients, sells rabbit meat in Nakuru. He says the trade has given him an income.
“I started doing this business one year ago and I am seeing the benefits. I have employed two young men who help in slaughtering and cooking the meat,” Njuki says.
He sells a piece of the meat at Sh60 but says the demand for the meat is very high since his business starts at 9am and by noon he has depleted his stock.
“I get the rabbits from farmers in Lanet, Rongai, Subukia and Gilgil. The demand is high as most of the big hotels in town also have included the meat in their menu. One has to book for the rabbits and pay prior to collecting them,” says Gladys Wanjiku, a middleman.