Amid Kenya’s rising youth unemployment crisis, 31-year-old Martha Atieno is rewriting the narrative in Kitengela, Kajiado East, transforming challenge into opportunity and creating jobs through sustainable agriculture.
After working in formal employment from 2012 to 2018, Martha took a bold leap of faith and resigned to pursue training in agribusiness through a partnership between KCB Foundation and Mastercard Foundation.
The initiative targets young people aged 18 to 34, equipping them with self-employment, entrepreneurship, and digital agritech skills to unlock meaningful livelihoods.
In 2019, the partnership established a model hydroponic farm in Kibiko, Ngong, supported by Latia Agribusiness Solutions.
It was here that Martha first enrolled in hands-on training in greenhouse hydroponic farming- an approach that reduces land and water use while minimizing chemical inputs and emissions.
Although the Covid-19 pandemic temporarily interrupted her training in 2020, Martha returned later that year with renewed determination. By 2022, she was ready to launch her agribusiness journey.
Today, she runs a thriving greenhouse, growing tomatoes, local and English cucumbers, and sweet peppers.
Her farming method is efficient and sustainable, and her impact is undeniable: since launching her venture, Martha has created over 20 job opportunities for fellow youth.
“There is money in the soil. Since starting my business, I have grown both financially and mentally. My dream is to empower and create opportunities for as many people as I can,” says Martha.
Her success comes at a time when, according to the 2024 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics Labour Force Report, over 15.1 million youth between the ages of 18 and 34 remain unemployed or underemployed; a staggering statistic that Martha is determined to help reverse.
“There’s power in collaboration,” she adds. “I need people beside me to meet the growing demands of the business. That’s why I’m intentional about hiring fellow youth and giving them a chance to improve their lives and support their families.”
Over the past four years, Martha has become a well-rounded agripreneur, mastering skills in bookkeeping, crop and farm management, and record keeping.
Today, she confidently diagnoses plant diseases, selects optimal inputs, and makes informed production decisions.
She also markets her produce using Facebook and WhatsApp, reaching a broad client base across Kitengela and beyond. Customers travel from as far as Nairobi and other counties just to buy from her farm.
Looking ahead, Martha has big dreams.
“I want to scale up to five or even ten greenhouses. That way, I’ll be playing my part in addressing youth unemployment and strengthening food security.”
Her journey continues to inspire others, friends who trained alongside her are also starting agribusiness ventures of their own, proving that with the right support, young people can be the driving force of sustainable economic transformation
Martha Atieno /HANDOUT
