Micro Enterprise Support Programme Trust (MESPT)

📢 Our Latest Newsletter is Here! Packed with updates from November and December, we’ve got everything you need to know — including our office closing dates and when we’ll resume. Dive into inspiring stories, key highlights, and a look back at the incredible journey we’ve shared in 2024. As we gear up for 2025, we’re excited to continue building a prosperous society together! 👉 Click here to read: https://lnkd.in/d-Js7vz8 Wishing you a joyful holiday season and a bright start to the New Year 2025! #MESPT #MESPTImpact #GEAP #AGRIFI #Newsletter #StayInformed #MakingAnImpact #Collaboration #Partnership Rebecca Amukhoye Doreen Kinoti Antony Wanyonyi Nephat Njoroge Nyang'ori Godfrey Margaret Miano Stephen Cheruiyot Lily Chepkorir Joyce Wambui Kamande Charles Mwangi Purity Nkoroi Serah Nzau Antony Wanyonyi joyce kituva

Food Safety is a critical thematic pillar for Micro Enterprise Support Programme Trust (MESPT). Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) describes food safety as a science-based discipline, process or action that prevents food from containing substances that could harm a person's health. Driving food safety conversation is critical to human existence—food is the third most basic human need, after air and water. Only when food is safe, can it contribute to our food security and health (FAO, 2019). Walls et al. (2019) emphasize that the trio are not only compatible but complementary in principle, with important synergies between them in terms of their impact on population health outcomes. In contrast, food security encompasses both food safety and healthy nutrition, as well as a wider set of concerns related to food availability, access, utilization and stability. Am so proud of the work myself and my colleagues ALEX AKIDIVA,Rebecca Amukhoye and Godfrey Nyang'ori have done on article; Partnerships for Improved Food Safety: MESPT's Engagements in Effective Pesticides, published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, section Agro-Food Safety. Use the link below for great insights into the publications on the work we are driving for systemic change.

The Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) is a transformative initiative funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs through Palladium: Make It Possible. It aims to address systemic bottlenecks and create scalable solutions for #youth #employment by focusing on three key fruit value chains: mango, passion fruit, and pineapple. MESPT implements the project under the banner of “The Low-Hanging Fruit for Youth Employment in Kenya,” in partnership with Ripple Effect, Yielder, and Feast Foods Processors Ltd. The project emphasizes Digital Business Development, Scaling Green Jobs, and Creative Sector Innovations to foster job creation and #sustainable development. The MESPT team visited #CFYE beneficiaries in Mombasa, where they met inspiring entrepreneurs, including Subira Zingizi of Nala Foods, Fatma Ramadhan of Fabra Foods, and Julie Myra of Kilimo Fiti Limited. These beneficiaries shared their transformative journeys, showcasing how the CFYE program has #empowered them to turn their businesses into thriving enterprises. Through technical support, market linkages, and #mentorship, they have created #jobs for local youth and contributed to a vibrant and innovative #agribusiness ecosystem. The visit was led by the MESPT Board of Trustees members including Thomas Were, the Donor Representative of Denmark in Kenya, Charles Wasike, and the MESPT CEO, Rebecca Amukhoye. #CFYE #YouthEmployment #TransformingLives #SustainableDevelopment #Entrepreneurship #Agribusiness #ValueChainDevelopment #GreenJobs #CreativeSector #FruitValueChains #MESPT #MESPTImpact Philemon Moseti Margaret Miano Margaret Kikuvi Antony Wanyonyi Joyce Wambui Kamande

Yesterday, MESPT Board of Trustees visited the Kilulu Water Project in #Kwale County, an initiative under the Gazore Jamii CBO. This new #partnership within MESPT's #GEAP programme was developed in #collaboration with the County Government of Kwale's Climate Change Unit focuses on establishing a #community water project for productive use. At the heart of the project is Hensoko, a visionary lead farmer who has partnered with Gazore Jamii to champion green #technologies, facilitate farmer training, and serve as a poultry aggregator and cassava seed multiplier. His efforts extend to providing market linkages and hatchery services, while his farm serves as a demonstration site for innovative practices. This project is set to enhance food security, improve livelihoods, and strengthen collective marketing power in the region. Together with Gazore Jamii and other stakeholders, MESPT is fostering an ecosystem of #sustainable development, empowering smallholder farmers and communities in Kwale to thrive. In attendance was Roman Mwangome Sherah, the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Agriculture, Livestock, and Fisheries Kwale County, along with other county officers. #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurityGoals #CommunityEmpowerment #GreenTechnologies #Agribusiness #MESPT #MESPTImpact #JamhuriDay Doreen Kinoti Rebecca Amukhoye Thomas Were Charles Wasike Philemon Moseti Joyce Wambui Kamande Serah Nzau

Today, we visited KETRIMA Investments, an up-and-coming #SME in Makueni County, founded by the passionate Mary Mathuli. Since 2021, Mary has been transforming the local poultry sector by providing day-old chicks, formulating her own feed brand, Mama Feeds, and introducing #sustainable farming practices such as azolla as alternative protein sources for poultry. With support from MESPTs #GEAP programme, Mary has become a mentor and trainer for local farmers, #empowering women and #youth #entrepreneurs. Her farm serves as a hub for training, helping others learn new technologies, business skills, and #leadership so far having trained 9 attachees. The recently constructed training hall, funded by GEAP, plays a crucial role in improving farmers' knowledge and skills and a source of income. Through innovations like "Mama Feed," which significantly reduces feed costs, and her commitment to environmentally friendly practices, KETRIMA is setting a #sustainable example for others in the region. The SME's success continues to gain visibility, with support from county partners and stakeholders. Mary’s story underscores the vital role smallholder farmers play in ensuring food security, driving rural #development, and advancing sustainable #agriculture. Additionally, our engagement with Mango and Poultry Farming BSPs highlighted the importance of empowering farmers and the ripple effect this has in strengthening food systems and fostering equitable growth in rural communities. #MESPT #MESPTImpact #SMEs #PoultryValueChain #Sustainability #WomenInAgriculture #GEAP #FoodSecurity #Makueni #Innovation Doreen Kinoti Rebecca Amukhoye Denmark in Kenya Philemon Moseti Thomas Were Charles Wasike Joyce Wambui Kamande

Our visit to Majoka Community-Based Organization (CBO) in Kaiani, Kathiani, was truly inspiring. Established in 2016, it has transformed into a thriving community of 300 members, driving remarkable progress and #womenempowerment. Since 2021, the provision of ICT equipment including a desktop computer and printer, has transformed the organization’s digital records. These tools have enhanced farmer data, improved access to market information, and streamlined the production of training materials, making daily activities more efficient for farmers. Through the support of MESPT's #GEAP programme, Majoka now operates a 500-capacity poultry aggregation centre that simplifies the collective action and boosting farmers’ incomes while maintaining quality and safety standards. Additionally, the programme has equipped 10 Business Service Providers (BSPs) with cooler boxes and transport cages, enabling them to deliver critical services such as poultry vaccination and transportation. These interventions have not only created jobs but also ensured efficient farm-to-market logistics. Collective marketing efforts have yielded impressive results. In 2024 alone, Majoka sold 6.5MT of poultry valued at Ksh 4.16 million. Beyond poultry, the members have diversified their income streams, benefiting from products like mangoes and French beans. The programme’s impact is evident in the knowledge gaps it has filled through capacity building in areas such as Good Agricultural Practices (GAP), food safety, and financial literacy. It has also created one permanent job and documented 10 BSP roles, while expanding partnerships into SEKEB counties to enhance market access. Majoka CBO stands as a testament to the power of community collaboration and strategic support in transforming livelihoods and empowering farmers for sustainable growth #CommunityEmpowerment #WomenEmpowerment #MESPT #MESPTImpact #PoultryFarming #SustainableAgriculture #FoodSecurity #AgriBusiness

Today, a team from #MESPT, led by the Board of Trustees, Denmark in Kenya representative, CEO, Program Managers, and officers, visited the inspiring Mivandoni Farmers Self-Help Group in Machakos County. The visit was also graced by County Government officials, National Environment Management Authority - KE (NEMA) and Local Administration officers. This group, established in 2019 by just four small-scale farmers, has now grown to over 200 members, integrating youth and women to drive agricultural transformation. Through MESPT’s Green Employment in Agriculture Programme (GEAP), funded by DANIDA, Mivandoni has flourished in Export vegetables production and has been trained in leadership, financial literacy, green practices, and compliance with Global GAP standards. These efforts have improved farming practices, unlocked export opportunities, and streamlined market linkages to Vegpro Ltd an SME working with the programme to ensure sustainable market access and increased incomes. Additionally, the group was supported with a export vegetables collection center and pre packaging equipment, enabling efficient operations and boosting productivity. The visit also included a water intervention under the Muvae River Water Project, involving the planned construction of a water weir to support irrigation, which is expected to revolutionize agriculture in the area by ensuring a year-round water supply .It was truly heartwarming to hear the farmers’ excitement about this transformative development. #MESPT #MESPTImpact #waterharvesting #climateresilience #SustainableFarming #FoodSecurity #AgricultureInnovation Rebecca Amukhoye Doreen Kinoti Charles Wasike Thomas Were joyce kituva Joyce Wambui Kamande Rachael Matayen Philemon Moseti Stephen Cheruiyot

As we celebrate the successful closeout of the #AgriFI programme, we reflect on 7 impactful years of championing the slogan "Food safety is everyone's business." While the programme concludes, the message lives on. Let us continue to believe in and uphold this principle, driving safer and more sustainable food systems for generations to come #AgriFIWorkshop #FoodSafetyKenya #AgriFIJourney #MESPTImpact #MESPT

We are honored to have Dr Juma Mukhwana, PhD, CBS, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Industry, Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, join us to celebrate the milestones of the #AgriFI programme and officially inaugurate the workshop #AgriFIWorkshop #FoodSafetyKenya #AgriFIJourney #AgriFIImpact #MESPTImpact #MESPT Denmark in Kenya European Union Godfrey Nyang'ori Stephen Cheruiyot Serah Nzau Sarah Kuria

The #AgriFI programme has been a testament of the power of collaboration, innovation and perseverance in addressing the pressing challenges of food safety in our country ~ Rebecca Amukhoye - MESPT CEO #AgriFIWorkshop #FoodSafetyKenya #AgriFIJourney #MESPTImpact Sarah Kuria Godfrey Nyang'ori Stephen Cheruiyot Denmark in Kenya European Union Nyang'ori Godfrey