Eldama Ravine, May 14, 2025.
Efforts to strengthen Kenya’s food security got a boost when First Lady, Mama Rachel Ruto launched the Mama Kitchen Garden initiative. The program promotes sustainable agricultural practices, improves nutritional well-being, and generates employment and incomes at the grassroots level. The strategy is to expand the program to all the 47 counties.

Addressing farmers the Koibatek Agricultural Training Centre (KATC), Her Excellency Rachel Ruto said the aim of the initiative is to reduce poverty and hunger. “In the eight months of this mama kitchen Garden, we have started building resilient household, schools, and communities”.
The mama Garden is important during this period of climate change as there is the growth of indigenous, drought resistant and nutritious vegetables such as traditional kale, amaranth, black nightshade, cowpea among others. Reports highlight that Baringo County has a high proportion of stunted children aged between six and 59 months. Studies show that some areas like Tiaty show a higher prevalence at 40.1%, while Baringo South and Marigat are at 28.1%.

In support to this program, the government of Baringo allocated 400 million this financial year to foresee agricultural development, livestock and the blue economy and provide extension service in schools and groups dealing with the project. Apart from farming, there are also other methods of earning income and curbing hunger and poverty over the years in the county such as fishing and livestock keeping.