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In the hills of Karinga, Murang’a county, Peter Maina represents youth resilience in adversity.
Like many youth, Maina's journey has been marked by obstacles, perseverance and a strong will to ensure he succeeds.
Maina stands as a beacon of hope for those who have been affected by economic challenges and unemployment.
He finds himself emerging as a successful businessman after a period of struggles.
Maina’s entrepreneurial journey began with a small fast-food café that sold chicken and chips.
Located in the countryside of Murang’a, his café served as a hub for the local community, offering a quick meal in a comfortable environment.
The cafe provided an income that supported his livelihood. And for a young man looking to make his mark in business, things were promising.
However, in 2020, the first case of Covid-19 was reported in Kenya. This changed the world Maina knew.
Like many small businesses, Maina’s café began to experience challenges.
With strict health measures imposed by the government and growing concern about the virus, Maina started losing customers.
The pandemic not only brought fear but also a shift in lifestyles and food preferences.
“Most of my customers did not want to eat from the café because with Covid-19, they wanted to keep healthy,” Maina said in an interview with the Star.
Customers increasingly opted for healthier, home-cooked meals instead of fast foods, and this devastated his business.
By mid-2020, Maina made the tough decision to close down his café.
“I was devastated and on the verge of losing hope,” he recalls.
“This was a difficult time for me. I had to tune my mind to something else. I had to look for an alternative.”
TURNING POINT
Maina was on the verge of giving up when a friend introduced him to the KCB Foundation 2Jiajiri programme.
The initiative, launched by the foundation, seeks to empower unemployed youth by providing them with training, tools and skills to become self-employed and create jobs for others.
According to KCB Foundation, the 2Jiajiri programme focuses on vocational skills development, providing scholarships and giving micro-entrepreneurs the technical training they need to formalise their businesses.
By addressing youth unemployment, it helps young people find sustainable paths to financial independence.
"My friend saw an advertisement by KCB Foundation and he shared the link with me. I took a step of faith, hoping that the foundation would consider me for the 2Jiajiri programme,” Maina says.
“I really needed to learn new skills and explore other opportunities. I was ready to reinvent myself.”
Among the options offered by the programme were courses in filming, agriculture and manufacturing.
Having always been passionate about agriculture, Maina chose to pursue a course in hydroponic farming.
Hydroponics is a modern method of growing plants without soil, using nutrient-rich water instead.
Although Maina had attempted a small hydroponics project before, it had not been successful.
This was his chance to gain the skills and knowledge necessary to make his dream of sustainable farming a reality.
Maina was selected for the programme and soon after enrolled for a hydroponics training, where he began his agricultural training in January 2020.
FROM STUDENT TO BUSINESSMAN
The year-long training was a transformative experience for Maina.
His passion for agriculture grew stronger, and he developed a deep understanding of modern farming methods.
“I had a great experience during the entire programme,” he recalls.
“There was so much to learn, especially in hydroponics. I spent a year working in a greenhouse, facing daily challenges, which helped me develop my skills.”
Through the programme, Maina learned how to optimise water usage in farming, nurture crops in controlled environments and maximise production using minimal resources.
Hydroponics, in particular, fascinated him because it allowed him to grow fresh, healthy vegetables and fruits without depending on traditional farming methods that require vast amounts of land and water.
“It broadened my mind,” Maina says.
“I now had the knowledge and experience to move forward in farming. I knew I could take these skills and build something meaningful.”
Upon completing the programme in 2021, Maina set up his own farming venture: Pete’s Food.
He started with small-scale rabbit farming, combining it with vegetable and fruit cultivation.
His dream was to create a sustainable farming business that could provide healthy food to the local community and beyond.
Maina’s venture, Pete’s Food, is now thriving. He keeps rabbits, grows a variety of vegetables and fruits, and has built a customer base in Thika and Murang’a.
“I chose to keep rabbits because of their health benefits. Rabbit meat is lean, high in protein and very nutritious,” he says.
His focus on healthy food aligns perfectly with the growing demand for nutritious, sustainable food sources in the post-Covid era.
Thanks to the KCB Foundation 2Jiajiri programme in partnership with Mastercard Foundation, Maina was able to buy rabbits, goats and a motorbike, which he uses to transport goods to the market.
“The motorbike has been a great asset. It allows me to take my produce to customers quickly, ensuring that everything stays fresh,” he says.
In addition to building his farming business, Maina has also created job opportunities for others in his community.
“I have employed two youths who work on my farm. It feels great to be able to help others who are also looking for a way to earn a living,” he says.
Maina’s achievements go beyond the farm. He has also built an online presence to share his knowledge and experiences with others.
His YouTube channel, which has more than 1,200 subscribers, provides a platform for him to teach people about farming, hydroponics and rabbit keeping.
“I feel good that I can connect with people not only in Murang’a but also around the world,” he says.
FUTURE PLANS
As Maina’s business grows, so do his ambitions. He envisions expanding Pete’s Food and connecting with other farmers in his area to form a cooperative.
“If we join forces, we can buy hay in bulk, improve production and increase profitability,” he says.
By working together, small-scale farmers like Maina can benefit from economies of scale and access larger markets.
One of his immediate goals is to open a café in Kangari, where he can serve rabbit meat and other healthy dishes.
“We are planning a café at Kangari where we will be taking our meat. It will be a pathway to ensuring people get a taste of rabbit meat and experience its benefits,” Maina says.
He is also dedicated to helping others in his community succeed. He frequently encourages young people to seek out opportunities and take advantage of programmes like 2Jiajiri.
“Click those links,” he advises. “You never know the opportunities that await you.”
Maina’s story is just one example of the success of the KCB Foundation 2Jiajiri programme, which has helped thousands of young people like him across Kenya.
According to the foundation, the 2Jiajiri programme has created 149,309 jobs, trained 29,712 youths, incubated 9,708 businesses and disbursed Sh267 million loans.
The programme has also issued 1,612 business startups toolkits, with institutional deposits standing at Sh1.03 billion and 6,335 business trained on financial planning.
Through this initiative, the KCB Foundation has helped young Kenyans move from unemployment to self-employment, providing them with the skills and support they need to thrive in today’s competitive economy.
Maina stands as a testament to the transformative power of opportunity, hard work and perseverance.
His journey from café owner to successful farmer is a story of resilience in the face of adversity.
Maina’s ability to pivot from a failing business during the pandemic to creating a thriving farming enterprise has not only improved his own life but has also uplifted his community.
“Through dedication and the opportunities provided by the 2Jiajiri programme, I’ve been able to turn my life around,” Maina says.
“It’s proof that embracing new ventures and taking calculated risks can open doors to a world of possibilities.”
Maina’s story is a powerful reminder that when young people are given the right tools and support, they can achieve greatness not only for themselves but also for their entire communities.