The businessman, Calvin Burgess, whose large-scale rice farming venture at Yala Swamp generated praise and controversy before winding down operations, is exploring opportunities in dairy production and value addition.
The investor has held preliminary engagements with stakeholders in Siaya county as his team assesses the viability of establishing a modern dairy enterprise targeting both local and regional markets.
Under the proposed programme, the farm seeks to train the community and help upgrade livestock to increase productivity and support livelihoods.
The planned investment is also expected to focus on milk processing, farmer aggregation and the adoption of modern farming technologies aimed at boosting productivity among smallholder farmers.
“There is need for high-quality grain-fed beef at the high-quality restaurants and hotels where tourists come. Much of the beef they consume is flown in from places like South Africa at high prices,” Burgess said in a phone interview with the Star.
“This programme is designed to teach students how to replicate the programme across the nation. Animal feed while on Dominion property will mainly consist of maize stover, sugar cane leaves and tops, soya and sunflower press cake, grass and minerals to produce high-quality meats.”
“With this, there is a milk, yoghurt, cheese and ice-cream industry in Kenya.”
The move signals a fresh attempt to tap into Kenya's lucrative agricultural sector, with dairy remaining one of the country's leading contributors to rural incomes and food security.
However, the planned comeback faces a major obstacle in accessing land previously occupied by the company.
Dominion Farms ceased operations in 2017, bringing to an end years of large-scale rice farming and agribusiness activities in Yala Swamp.
In 2020, Lake Agro Ltd took over management of the reclaimed swamp land under a new lease arrangement that would extend for 66 years.
Residents and community groups have repeatedly petitioned the Siaya county lands office, demanding the revocation of the lease held by Lake Agro Ltd.
They argue the land is community property and should be returned to residents rather than allocated to private investors.
Community leaders maintain that residents were not adequately consulted and have called for a fresh review of the land ownership arrangements.
President William Ruto, while attending a church service at St Peter's Cathedral in Siaya Town on August 31, 2025, acknowledged the underutilisation of the land and promised a solution that balances community and investor interests.
“What is happening in Yala Swamp is sub-optimal. That land has huge potential and must benefit the community,” he said.
The renewed interest by the American investor comes amid growing efforts by national and county governments to attract investment into agriculture and value addition.
Under the dairy programme, Dominion Farms proposes the provision of breeding bulls or artificial insemination, guaranteed healthcare for mother cows and feeding until they give birth, the purchase of all bull calves for half the local market value for local animals and the purchase of all qualified milk.
The farm will also be responsible for marketing dairy products.
If successful, the venture could create employment opportunities and provide a ready market for dairy farmers in the region.
Dominion Farms operated in Siaya for years, spearheading large-scale rice production and aquaculture projects before scaling down amid disputes over land use, environmental concerns and community relations.
The investor's renewed interest in Kenya comes at a time when the government is encouraging private sector participation in agriculture to enhance food production and value addition.
According to the Dominion boss, a staunch Christian, his interest in investing in the country stems from a 1963 revelation from God directing him to come and change the poverty situation in the country.
