How SMACHS Foundation is Sowing Seeds of Change

By Boniface Harrison – Executive Director, MuemAction Post

Honestly, when most young Kenyans hear about farming, they imagine long, dusty days, backbreaking work, and definitely nothing you’d post about on Instagram. That’s partly because most of us grew up in rural areas, where agriculture was mostly manual and barely profitable.

And climate action? It’s often misunderstood as something reserved for boardrooms, foreign donors, or tree-planting days that end with a soda and a certificate.

But here’s the truth: while young people make up over 75% of Kenya’s population, they are often sidelined in climate action and agricultural decision-making. A recent report by German Agency for International Cooperation or (GIZ) found that only 10% of youth are actively engaged in agriculture initiatives, and over 60% view agriculture as outdated and unappealing. However, today there are new and smarter ways to farm, but many young people are not aware of them.

That’s the gap. And that’s exactly where SMACHS Foundation comes in.

On 2nd May 2025, MuemAction Post had the honour of partnering with SMACHS Foundation for the Climate-Smart Agripreneurs Workshop, a transformative virtual session held via Zoom. This was no ordinary webinar. It brought together 100 youth from across the country to explore practical, profitable, and sustainable ways to engage in agriculture while tackling climate change. SMACHS Foundation proudly sponsored 20 youth delegates to attend, giving them access to game-changing knowledge in basics to climate-smart agriculture, agritech innovations, value addition, agribusiness finance, and even urban farming.

It was an inspiring collaboration. Working with the SMACHS team including Natalie, Levi, and Uugi under the incredible leadership of their CEO, Ms. Charlene Ruto, was fulfilling. Their passion is infectious and their vision is clear: open up more opportunities for young people to thrive in agriculture, not just to make a living, but to make a difference.

And if you’re into beekeeping, SMACHS Foundation stated during the workshop that they are your go-to organization to help you find a market and offer capacity building.

But the workshop was just one piece of their broader vision.

Photo Credit: SMACHS Foundation Instagram (@smachsfoundation)

You’ll find SMACHS Foundation right where the action is. For example, at Wareng Primary School, they are planting fruit trees and helping children discover the value of growing their own food. At Nyanjenga Primary School, they are setting up kitchen gardens and teaching students how to nourish themselves and their families. In Lodwar, they are training farmers in modern beekeeping techniques. In Turkana, they are creating space for intergenerational climate dialogues that bring elders and youth together to share wisdom. And when it comes to the big global conversations, they have participated in major platforms such as COP, and they will also be part of the upcoming 10th Agritech Africa Conference here in Kenya.

SMACHS Foundation is proving, time and again, that young people thrive when given the right spaces for empowerment and support. Through partnership with MuemAction Post in the Climate-Smart Agripreneurs Workshop, they are creating opportunities, building partnerships, and providing platforms where youth can learn, grow, and unlock their potential to drive climate action, strengthen food security, and create employment opportunities in their communities.

To every youth reading this: the future of food, agribusiness, and a safe environment is in your hands.

Join our WhatsApp channel here for inspiring insights on social issues