Second Kenya cohort graduates from prestigious leadership programme

The African Food Fellowship graduated its second cohort of Kenya Fellows on 22 Sept 2023. Some 27 Fellows received certificates for successfully completing the prestigious Food Systems Leadership Programme, which equips them with the skills, knowledge, and connections needed to initiate and deliver effective food systems actions. They will continue their leadership journey through the Kenya Food Fellowship, a self-organising space for connecting, learning, acting, and belonging.

“We are proud to graduate this cohort of Fellows, who are among the most exciting food systems leaders in Kenya today. They bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the food system as innovators, entrepreneurs, food producers, researchers, financiers, and policymakers. We have the utmost confidence in their capacity as change-makers,” said African Food Fellowship Kenya Dean and Implementation Lead, Brenda Mareri.

The graduating Fellows showcased their food systems actions which are designed to offer real-world solutions to the greatest challenges facing Kenya’s horticulture, aquaculture, and agri-finance sectors today. Some of these include research on unconventional sources of food including insects and indigenous crops, financing opportunities for smallholder farmers, and initiatives to deliver safer food to consumers.

“I was excited to meet other Fellows in person and learn more about their food systems actions. I already see many opportunities to collaborate with them because our projects target similar challenges,” said agri-finance Fellow Mercy Munene who is working on setting up urban farms to help city dwellers become food-sufficient.

Keynote speaker at the event Rikki Agudah, the Board Chairman at the Society of Crop Agribusiness Advisors of Kenya, lauded the Fellowship for bringing different food systems leaders together and providing a space where they can collaborate. He called on Fellows to focus on a common goal and lend their strengths to solving common issues.

“Let’s be bold and identify what the African agenda is. What exactly works for us as a continent? We might shine as individuals but if we want to achieve impact, we must work together. This is the only way we can achieve change,” he said.

As members of the Kenya Food Fellowship, the graduates will continue to enjoy learning opportunities and platforms where they can contribute to Kenya’s food systems agenda. The African Food Fellowship has now onboarded the third cohort of Fellows in both Kenya and Rwanda who started their leadership journey in September 2023.

About the African Food Fellowship

The African Food Fellowship is building a radical movement of leaders in Africa working to transform food systems across the continent. We support food systems actors with world-class training, platforms, and networks, to spark collaborative action for healthy, inclusive, and sustainable food systems. The Fellowship is initiated by Wageningen University and Research and Wasafiri Consulting with support from the IKEA Foundation.