Weekly News Roundup Nō 46 / Nov 2025
AgroMind: AI-Powered app making a difference for farmers
November 11, 2025
KITALA, Bomet — Karen Cherono, raised in a maize-farming family in Kitala Village, was deeply affected when maize lethal necrosis disease struck her community in 2021, devastating harvests across the county. As families went hungry and children dropped out of school, she vowed to find a better way. Armed with her background in information technology, Cherono developed AgroMind, an AI-powered smartphone app that gives smallholder farmers real-time advice on crop management, pest diagnosis, fertilizer use, and climate-smart practices. The platform also offers a 7-day weather forecast and market price analysis, helping farmers decide when to plant, spray, or sell.
Users can upload soil test results, and the system—backed by agricultural specialists—recommends tailored fertiliser applications. If farmers doubt the AI’s advice, they can consult experts directly via the app. AgroMind currently serves about 5,000 farmers, with operations already running in Baringo County. Cherono’s team plans to scale further and launch a USSD version to reach farmers without smartphones. They also aim to onboard certified agro-dealers and agro-vets into the ecosystem, ensuring access to quality inputs.
Despite challenges—such as the high cost of development and limited AI expertise—Cherono remains confident. “AI is here to stay. It makes farming more efficient and lowers production costs,” she says. For many farmers like Susan Nduta from Ngong, AgroMind is already a game-changer. Nduta uses it to diagnose crops, plan her watering schedule, and verify advice with specialists. Cherono believes the fusion of technology and agriculture can redefine how rural farmers access critical information—and safeguard their livelihoods.
Read More
Landmark Feedlot Project in Wajir to Inject KSh 288 Million into Local Economy
Wajir, 10 November 2025
A major feedlot and water infrastructure project in Wajir West is nearing completion, promising to transform pastoral livelihoods in the arid county. The 5,000-acre Griftu Feedlot Project, capable of supporting up to 15,000 livestock, is projected to add KSh 288 million annually to the local economy by bolstering meat and dairy production. The initiative comes as part of a drive to shift pastoral communities from subsistence grazing to commercial livestock farming. It features four water pans with a total capacity of 750,000 cubic meters, a 6.5-kilometre open water channel, solar-powered installations, and perimeter fencing.
During a recent inspection, PS for Irrigation, Ephantus Kimotho, called the project a “game-changer,” highlighting its role in water access, drought resilience, and value-chain strengthening in ASAL (arid and semi-arid) regions. The feedlot is part of a broader government strategy, supported by President William Ruto’s directive, to roll out up to 450 feedlots nationwide in ASAL counties.
Principal Secretary for ASALs and Regional Development, Kello Harsama, emphasized that the Griftu project reflects a practical, community-focused response to climate change: “We are building a future where livestock losses due to drought become a thing of the past … securing livelihoods and restoring dignity for communities that have borne the brunt of climate shocks for decades.” Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi welcomed the development, calling it a lifeline for local pastoralists and a key step in reducing vulnerability to recurrent droughts.
The project was born out of the devastating 2020–2022 drought, during which more than 2.5 million livestock units were lost in ASAL counties. Senior national and county officials who joined the inspection tour included Irrigation Secretary Joel Tanui and other top officials from climate resilience and water management departments. Read More.
Kenya Targets Stronger Meat Exports Through Livestock Value-Chain Reforms
Nakuru — 8 November 2025
Kenya is ramping up efforts to boost its meat exports through sweeping reforms across the livestock value chain, industry leaders say. The country’s drive to modernize production, processing, and market linkages is expected to position pastoral production as a major engine of growth. Meat exports surged from KSh 11.5 billion in 2022 to KSh 19 billion in 2023, before settling at KSh 18.7b in 2024 — reflecting an average three-year growth rate of 39 percent. Key markets include Gulf countries such as the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait, while emerging buyers are found in Asia and Africa, including China, Malaysia, Indonesia, Libya, Senegal, Comoros, and Nigeria. Despite its economic importance — contributing about 12% to Kenya’s GDP and 40% of its agricultural output — the livestock sector faces persistent challenges. Market inefficiencies, lack of coordination, limited financing, and substandard slaughterhouses are undermining its full potential.
To address these hurdles, the African Pastoral Markets Development (APMD) Platform, under AU-IBAR, convened a two-day roundtable in Naivasha, bringing together feedlot operators, meat processors, financiers, and policymakers. Launched in January 2025 with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the four-year APMD programme seeks to drive market-driven transformation, promote private-sector involvement, and align production with global demand. APMD’s Coordinator, John Oppong, underscored the need for economies of scale, reduced costs, and transparent trade to make Kenya’s livestock sector globally competitive.
Officials say Kenya’s massive livestock population — 22 million cattle and 58 million sheep and goats — represents untapped economic potential. But only seven of Kenya’s roughly 1,000 slaughterhouses currently meet international export standards, raising concerns for traceability and product quality.
Aden Nur Dahir, Chairperson of the Kenya Meat and Livestock Exporters Council (KEMLEC), urged stakeholders to adopt value addition strategies, including exporting cut and processed meat, to maximize gains and create jobs. He also highlighted the need for a livestock traceability system to protect access to export markets. Maria Mbeneka, Director at Ranch Experts Ltd, called for clearer understanding between producers, processors, and financiers. She noted that tailored financing aligned with production cycles would bolster sector efficiency. Overall, participants at the Naivasha forum viewed the reforms as a turning point: stronger coordination, market-based interventions, and private sector-led growth could drive Kenya into a new era as a powerhouse in the global meat industry.