Accelerating impact and promoting business opportunities in Kenya

This isn’t a fairy tale, but a lived experience of friends who dared to dream. Two engineers, an animal psychiatrist with a surprising flair for HR, and a marketer who set out to chase a dream that would only be described aptly as wild. And it was for something wilder, something rooted in the earth. Their audacious gamble? A ten-acre farm, Aromatic Fresh, tucked away in the sprawling outskirts of Kitengela, Kajiado County, a place you'd only find by following a trail of 'hidden gem' signboards along a winding, dusty path.

Agribusiness, as they soon discovered, is not for the faint of heart. Yet, these friends, armed with nothing but a shared dream, drove headfirst into the unknown. A few phone calls, a connection to a connection, and a Saturday morning adventure led them to a warm, welcoming Maasai lady, the land's owner. Over shared meat, a lease was sealed, and Aromatic Fresh Kenya Ltd was born.

Thirty-six greenhouses, nestled within 56 oddly shaped corners of land, became home to a fragrant symphony of basil, thyme, rosemary, and other culinary herbs. Sixteen permanent farm hands, supplemented by 10-20 seasonal workers, tended to the crops, carefully cultivating and packaging them for the discerning palates of international markets.

“This journey,” Lynda, one of the directors, confessed, “has been an organic, albeit challenging, growth. We were constantly pushed beyond what we thought was possible.”

Their initial foray into farming was a harsh lesson. A bumper harvest of 500 kilograms of herbs turned to dust, a casualty of their inexperience with packaging, export, and securing a market. But they didn't crumble. Instead, they absorbed the hard-won wisdom, dusted themselves off, and tried again. And again. And again. Slowly, meticulously, they built a reputation as reliable exporters of premium fresh herbs.

“The demand,” Brian, another director, marvelled, “far outstrips our supply. It’s a good problem to have, but a problem nonetheless.”

Their participation in the Impact Small and Medium Enterprises (iSME) Development Program by Oxfam Kenya and Open Capital proved transformative. Pitch decks became polished presentations, financial reports turned from daunting spreadsheets into clear, actionable insights, and waste management evolved into a sustainable recycling system. Moreover, Aromatic Fresh embraced its role as a champion for women, promoting a long-serving employee to supervisor and empowering its female workforce.

Oxfam’s iSME Development project provides Business Development Services (BDS) to small businesses in Kenya, with the aim to help them grow, access finance, and increase their (social) impact.

Today, the farm is a testament to their unwavering dedication. One engineer has fully embraced the role of farm manager, while the former animal psychiatrist now leads the HR department full-time. The remaining two partners contribute their expertise, ensuring the business thrives.

They have not only demystified the complexities of agribusiness but have also crafted a thriving enterprise, one that breathes life into the Kitengela landscape. Their story is a reminder that sometimes, the most extraordinary journeys begin with a leap of faith, a dash of audacity, and the unwavering belief that even the most unlikely of teams can cultivate something truly remarkable, a fragrant, flourishing testament to the power of friendship and grit. And as the sun sets over their verdant greenhouses, they know, with absolute certainty, that their 'hidden gem' is just beginning to shine.