Youth-Led Agricultural Revolution in Kisumu's Slums Transforming Lives and the Environment

Strategic Insights -

A quiet revolution is taking place in the densely populated Nyalenda slums near Kisumu city centre, where a group of young people are transforming their community through innovative agricultural practices, waste management, and entrepreneurship. The Kisumu Young Agropreneurs (KIYA) project, supported by Mastercard and implemented under the GIZ and Agri-Jobs 4 Youth initiative, has trained over 3,000 young farmers in agriculture and food systems, with 2,600 successfully starting their own agribusinesses. KIYA's approach is built on mentorship, training, and market access, allowing young people to lease land, grow vegetables, raise livestock, and turn discarded waste into rich compost.

Key Takeaways:

  • The KIYA project has trained over 3,000 young farmers, aged 18-35, in agriculture and food systems, with 2,600 successfully starting their own agribusinesses.
  • KIYA's team leader, Mr Roy Odawa, emphasizes that 60 percent of these young people have created job opportunities in the community, and 2,300 have launched their own agribusiness ventures.
  • The project has found success with its innovative approach to waste management, using black soldier fly farming to create a circular economy.
  • KIYA has introduced an evaporative charcoal cooler and an aggregation centre for African leafy vegetables, reducing post-harvest losses and enabling farmers to market their produce collectively.
  • The project has also expanded its reach, launching in eight public primary schools in Nyalenda, providing training grounds and sources of food subsidies for local children.
  • KIYA's partnership with Germany's GIZ has played a pivotal role in supporting this youth-led initiative, aligning with Kenya's collaboration with Germany on climate and development issues.

Statistics:

  • Over $50 million will be made available through local banks for young people to invest in agribusiness.
  • KIYA has seen a significant drop in Kisumu County's food imports, from 90 percent to less than 50 percent.
  • The project has created over 1,800 job opportunities in the community.
  • 70 percent of KIYA's team members are female.
  • The project has started training 8 public primary schools in more than 5 value chains, including African indigenous vegetables, poultry, tomatoes, cassava, aquaculture and climate action topics.

Sources:

  • GIZ and Agri-Jobs 4 Youth initiative (2020-2025)
  • Mastercard
  • African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC)
  • Kisumu County Government and GIZ
  • Germany's GIZ and Kenya's collaboration on climate and development issues