On March 17, 2025, Ms. Charlene Ruto, Director of the SMACHS Foundation and daughter of President William Ruto, visited the University of Nairobi's Upper Kabete Campus On March 17, 2025. Her visit was aimed at exploring potential collaborations between the Foundation and the University's Faculty of Agriculture. The visit aimed to identify opportunities for youth engagement in post-harvest management, food processing, value addition, and agricultural technologies.
Ms. Ruto participated in a boardroom discussion with the Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture, faculty members, and students. The meeting focused on exploring potential areas of collaboration, including research partnerships, capacity-building programs, and community outreach initiatives. Both parties expressed enthusiasm about the possibility of working together to address key challenges in the agricultural sector, such as climate change, food insecurity, and rural poverty.
Ms. Ruto was welcomed by Professor Jane Ambuko, a leading figure in post-harvest technologies at the University. The tour commenced with a visit to the Fresh Produce Aggregation and Distribution Hub, a facility established to link smallholder horticultural farmers to urban markets. Commissioned in May 2024, this hub is equipped with facilities for handling, minimal processing, and cold storage of fresh produce, aiming to preserve quality and extend shelf life. Ms. Ruto expressed her admiration for the hub’s role in reducing post-harvest losses and improving market access for farmers. She noted that such initiatives align closely with the SMACHS Foundation’s mission to empower communities through sustainable agricultural practices.
As part of the day’s itinerary, Ms. Ruto toured the Food Processing Hub and Pilot Plant, where she observed various value addition processes, including solar tunnel drying, juice and wine production, and milk processing. These facilities are designed to enhance the University's capacity in food processing and offer practical training opportunities for students and stakeholders.
The visit concluded at the Kenya Agricultural Technology and Innovation Centre (KATIC), a hub for research, innovation, and training in agriculture. Here, Ms. Ruto and her team from SMACHS foundation were briefed on various projects aimed at driving agricultural transformation through technology and innovation.
This visit to the University of Nairobi underscores the shared commitment of both institutions to empower youth and women in agriculture, aiming to transform the sector through innovation, capacity building, and strategic partnerships
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