Seeds Of Hope - Nyakamami Foundation -Building resilient communities together

SEEDS OF HOPE: NYAKAMAMI FOUNDATION CULTIVATING FOOD SECURITY IN KISUMU COUNTY.

By Kevin Ogutu

In the heart of Nyalenda ‘B’ Ward, Kisumu County, a quiet transformation is unfolding. On October 9, 2025, the Nyakamami Foundation team, led by Foundation Manager Mr. Solomon Amuti, visited Kapuothe for a farmer demonstration exercise that marked yet another step in the Foundation’s ongoing mission to strengthen food security across the county.

For years, farmers in this area have battled erratic rainfall, drought, and flooding – challenges that have often turned once-productive fields into idle land. But on this day, hope was restored as the Foundation handed over a 5,000-litre water tank to help local farmers store water for irrigation during dry months. Alongside it came 300 kilograms of rice, donated through a partnership between the Lake Basin Development Authority (LBDA) and the Foundation.

The exercise, which brought together experts from the Kenya Agriculture and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), offered more than material support. It became a classroom in the open field; a space for learning, sharing, and reimagining the future of farming in Kisumu County.

“Food security remains one of the great pillars of the Nyakamami Foundation,” said Mr. Amuti. “When we look at the fields within the borders of Kisumu County, we see the promise of a food-secure people. But this promise depends on our ability to produce continuously, even when the rains fail. That’s why we are investing in irrigation, knowledge-sharing, and partnerships that empower farmers to adapt to climate change.”

Empowering farmers through knowledge

At the heart of the day’s activities was a hands-on farmer demonstration led by KALRO agronomist Mr. Simon Meso. Farmers gathered around as he and his team demonstrated site selection, field preparation, and the proper application of organic manure. The group then moved to practical planting lessons, focusing on the Nyota bean variety – a climate-resilient crop developed through KALRO’s research.

“We mounted a demonstration field where farmers could learn step-by-step how to plant the Nyota bean and other varieties,” explained Mr. Meso. “This outreach helps us bridge the knowledge gap that many farmers face. Through our partnership with Nyakamami Foundation, we’re ensuring that technical expertise reaches the people who need it most. And this is just the beginning, we’ll walk with them all the way to post-harvest and value addition.”

Such partnerships have become a cornerstone of Nyakamami Foundation’s approach, linking farmers to research, innovation, and sustainable practices that make farming not just possible, but profitable and resilient.

From waste to wealth

One of the Foundation’s most impactful collaborations has been with the Kibuye Market Waste Management Community-Based Organization (CBO), a group that transforms organic waste from the busy Kibuye Market into nutrient-rich compost for farmers.

Faith Atieno, a representative of the CBO, spoke passionately about the initiative:

“We collect biodegradable waste and convert it into organic manure, which we distribute to farmers in Kisumu. This partnership with Nyakamami Foundation, under the patronage of Hon. Ruth Odinga, has opened new possibilities. We’re not only improving soil health but also reducing pollution and dependence on chemical fertilizers. Food is life, and growing it the right way makes all the difference.”

By promoting organic farming practices, the Foundation is addressing one of the silent threats to long-term food security – soil degradation caused by overreliance on industrial fertilizers. Through training and access to affordable organic inputs, farmers are learning how to nurture the soil that sustains them.

Restoring Kisumu’s food basket

For farmers like Mr. John Orwa from Kapuothe, the Foundation’s intervention has been nothing short of transformative.

“We had been farming here for over five years but stopped when floods destroyed our fields,” he recalled. “It took the intervention of Hon. Ruth Odinga, through Nyakamami Foundation, to see the potential we were wasting. They came with experts, and today, this land that was bushy and abandoned is alive again. Give it a few months, and you’ll see many more hands joining.”

Mr. Orwa’s story reflects a larger truth – that Kisumu’s potential as a regional food basket can only be realized through partnerships that combine resources, technical expertise, and community participation. “We’re grateful to Hon. Ruth Odinga for ensuring that even as extension services decline in many places, we still have access to expert guidance through collaborations with institutions like KALRO,” he added.

Expanding the reach: From Kapuothe to Chulaimbo

Later that day, the Foundation team moved to Chulaimbo in Kisumu West Constituency, where another 5,000-litre water tank was handed over to the Galweya Farmers Self-Help Group. The goal remained the same – to help farmers maintain production even after the rains stop.

By sunset, the Foundation had reached over 200 farmers, distributed 300 household rice packages, and provided two large-capacity water tanks that will sustain irrigation efforts across the two locations. But beyond the numbers, what stood out was the sense of optimism, a renewed belief that farming can once again be the heartbeat of rural prosperity.

A vision rooted in the community

The Nyakamami Foundation, an initiative of Hon. Ruth Odinga, Kisumu County’s Woman Representative, has long been guided by the belief that empowered communities are the foundation of sustainable development. From youth empowerment and health programs to agricultural transformation, the Foundation’s work is deeply intertwined with the everyday lives of Kisumu’s people.

Under Hon. Odinga’s leadership, the Foundation has embraced a people-centered approach that listens, collaborates, and invests in solutions that make sense for local realities. Food security, as Mr. Amuti emphasized, is not just about growing crops but about building systems that endure.

“We are seeing the promise of a food-secure Kisumu,” he said. “But that promise will only come true if we continue to equip our farmers with the knowledge, tools, and partnerships they need to thrive.”

Looking ahead

As the sun dipped behind the hills of Kisumu West, farmers stood proudly beside their new water tanks, symbols of resilience and renewal. Children played nearby, their laughter mingling with the chatter of farmers planning the next planting season.

In those moments, it was clear that the work of Nyakamami Foundation is not just about agriculture; it’s about restoring dignity, fostering self-reliance, and growing a future where no family goes hungry.

Through the hands of farmers, the wisdom of researchers, and the dedication of community partners, the Foundation is nurturing more than crops; it is cultivating hope.