Thaita Coffee Factory came alive as ten trainees graduated from the second cohort of Patricia Farm Fresh, an initiative led by SportPesa’s Tujiamini first Gold Winner 2025, Patricia Kariuki Henry. The ceremony marked another milestone in her mission to help farmers return to indigenous, pesticide-free farming practices that restore soil health and produce healthier food for local communities.
Patricia, a food, nutrition, and dietetics expert, trained the group through a twelve-week programme that blends practical fieldwork with scientific understanding of soil regeneration, seed selection, and nutrient-dense crop production. Her work has quickly become a model for sustainable agriculture in Kirinyaga.
Addressing the graduates, Patricia encouraged them to remain committed to the principles they have learned.
“Studies have shown that counties like Kirinyaga and Nyeri lead in the use of pesticides and synthetic fertilisers, chemicals linked to rising cases of GERD and certain cancers. This is why enriching and monitoring our soil is as much a good practice as it is a necessary act of protection. When we rebuild soil health, we empower farmers, reduce harmful exposure, and create a culture of healthy eating that will sustain our communities for generations.”
These concerns are backed by research from the Pesticide Atlas Kenya Edition published by the Heinrich Böll Foundation in 2022 which highlights the health and environmental risks linked to heavy pesticide use in Kenya’s main farming counties.
.jpg)
Guests were also treated to a lively showcase, including a short skit and a runway-style presentation of the crops grown during training. Farmers from the first cohort also shared testimonials on how the programme has boosted their confidence, improved yields, and restored pride in growing indigenous foods.
Patricia expressed gratitude for the support she received through SportPesa’s Tujiamini platform, crediting the Gold Award funding for enabling the purchase of specialised tools, research material, and personnel support needed to keep the programme running.
She says, “Their support has been pivotal. Without it, getting this cohort to graduation would have been nearly impossible.” She adds, “The programme has already sparked measurable change, with one hundred percent adoption of indigenous farming and food practices among trainees. Each trainee is now producing between fifty and ninety litres of organic uji weekly for the local market. Even non-trained farmers are beginning to mirror these methods, and consumers report feeling healthier over time.”
.jpg)
Certificates were presented by Mr Henry Kariuki, Chairman of Thaita Coffee Factory and Patricia’s father, who praised the graduates and recognised SportPesa’s role in making the programme possible.
“This work is changing mindsets. For the first time in a long while, we are seeing what meaningful and consistent empowerment can achieve. Tujiamini has helped turn bold ideas into real community impact.”
Patricia hopes to expand indigenous crop farming across the rest of Kirinyaga and the wider Central Kenya region. She also intends to reintroduce more indigenous trees on farms to support environmental restoration and contribute to the broader fight against climate change.
SportPesa’s Tujiamini platform continues to uplift Kenyans through its Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards. In 2025, it invested over KES 30 million in projects spanning agriculture, sports, entrepreneurship, and social impact. Applications for only the 2025 national Gold, Silver and Bronze awards are open at www.tujiamini.co.ke/apply.