Native to the Kenyan district of Molo, and a staple of the local diet, Molo mushunu chicken is an unusual-looking bird that has been traditionally raised for many generations by the local Kikuyu community. This slow-growing, free-range bird has no feathers on the head and neck, while its large, elongated body is covered with plumage that may be black, white, blue, or red.
Mainly raised by women and children, this breed has been appreciated for its good brooding behavior, excellent eggs, and flavorful meat that is typically enjoyed on festive occasions. Traditionally, family members are assigned different cuts of the chicken: women and children consume the wings and neck, boys and men get the thighs, and the husband is the one that eats the breast.
The meat can be prepared in various ways - fried, boiled, or roasted - and it's usually served with a side of ugali (corn polenta) or rice. Distinguished by an intense yellow yolk and a bright brown shell, the small eggs of the mushunu chicken can be used in a wide range of specialties, including porridges and pancakes.
Unfortunately, the country's post-election violence of 2008 had a serious impact on the animals raised in this area, including the Molo mushunu chicken, and people are currently making efforts to recover from the loss.
