Growing up in Kimana in Oilotoktok, Simone Sankale did not care much for farming, the main economic activity for the farmers in his neighbourhood on the Kenyan side of the slopes of Mt Kilimanjaro.
He had bigger, more exciting dreams – to be a Catholic priest.
In 2017, he went to study theology at a Montfortian seminary. In pursuit of purity and virtue, he and other committed men were in training to become priests. It is while there that he found purpose, or so he thought.
Come 2023, his world came crashing down. He was let go from the seminary, and the allure of the priesthood went away. Talking about what transpired made him uncomfortable, so he would resort to locking himself in his room back home at Kimana.
After much-needed encouragement and support from his parents, Sankale gave life another go and found his way back into his community, hanging out with peers and learning how to enjoy life once more.
It was during this time that he learnt about the Wezesha Agri programme – an initiative launched in 2022 by the Safaricom Foundation in partnership with the Africa Instore Solutions enterprise – and decided to undergo the training. The programme advances climate-smart agriculture and Kajiado County was one of the counties identified for it, and the Kajiado County Government agreed to a partnership.
When he joined the programme, Sankale talked to his parents and they let him till a section of their land. Their son was now doing something with his life, and that was inspiring.
One of Wezesha’s standout features is its incorporation of advanced agricultural technologies. Recognising the challenges faced by local farmers, such as the high costs of energy and water pumps, the project introduced solar technologies. These include solar-powered incubators, submersible pumps, and drip irrigation systems. By shifting to solar energy, the project has dramatically reduced the cost of production, making farming more accessible and sustainable.
Over time, the programme’s beneficiaries have been empowered and equipped with good agronomic practices, such as agribusiness, agri-nutrition, safe use of agrochemicals, farmer group dynamics, solar technology, and biogas technology.
“While at Wezesha, they taught us about farming without the use of chemicals, solar technology and the use of drip irrigation as a form of water consumption, especially in our county and during water shortage periods brought about by the drought season,” Sankale says.
After the training, he decided to plant collard greens, otherwise known as sukuma wiki, and cayenne peppers, as they do well in dry conditions. Waking up every day to tend to his crops has given him a new outlook on life. He now sells his produce to his community, catering to his day-to-day needs.
Looking back, he thinks he should have joined the programme sooner. “I would like to tell Safaricom that the Wezesha programme is good, and I believe the youth can make it when empowered. They have been of great help and mostly through imparted knowledge and guidance on how to grow and enrich the smallholder farmers.”
Jacinta Ndanu, one of the many success stories emerging from the programme, has also grown her poultry business steadily and now supplies eggs and meat in her community.
Jacinta first learned about Wezesha through a friend involved in a village savings group. “A friend introduced me to Wezesha and mentioned how it offered training in smart agriculture and modern farming methods, which I found intriguing,” she recalls.
She started with the first cohort in November 2022, gaining valuable skills in poultry farming, vertical gardens, and the use of organic methods. Despite initial challenges, such as low demand for her chicken and issues with vaccination schedules, Jacinta persevered.
She credits much of her progress to the guidance of Michael Kimani, programme lead and agronomist at Wezesha: “Michael was instrumental in helping me overcome the challenges I faced. His support was crucial in getting my poultry business off the ground.”
Through determination and support, Jacinta has built a successful business. “My family, especially my sister and grandmother, have been my greatest supporters. They’ve helped me with finances and taking care of the farm,” she says.
From her experience, Jacinta has a deeper appreciation of the importance of self-reliance and having an entrepreneurial spirit: “You don’t have to wait for others to create job opportunities. Start with what you have and build from there.”
According to Michael, the programme has so far benefitted 2,300 farmers and aligns with Safaricom Foundation’s 2023-2026 strategy, which has incorporated agribusiness, enterprise development, and ecopreneurship as key components of its economic empowerment programmes.
Aligning with the theme of World Youth Day 2024—”Youth, Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”—Wezesha has also embraced digital tools to further its impact by developing digital tools: “Our digital platforms, like the AIS Kilimo app and Digi Farm, are designed to enhance the accessibility of agricultural advice and services. They are crucial in bridging the gap between traditional farming practices and modern, tech-driven solutions,” Michael says.
While Wezesha has achieved remarkable success, it has also encountered challenges. Some youth participants initially hesitated to engage with agriculture, often preferring urban jobs. Additionally, issues like limited land, high costs of agrochemicals, and poor road infrastructure have posed hurdles.
Despite these challenges, the project has made significant strides. It has created job opportunities, especially in agribusiness and value addition. These advancements demonstrate the potential for agriculture to be a viable and profitable career option for young people and everyone involved.
As Michael envisions the future, he remains optimistic. “The success we’ve had in Kajiado South is just the beginning. We plan to extend our reach to other counties, ensuring that more youth across Kenya benefit from these transformative agricultural practices,” he says.
