After graduating with a degree in business information technology in 2019, Dennis Mutua expected to secure a well-paying job in the bustling capital city.
However, reality set in when he found himself working as an electrician on a three-year contract, earning a modest Sh50,000 per month.
Unsatisfied with his earnings and the lack of job stability, Dennis decided to return to his parents' farm in Machakos, a village approximately 73 kilometres from the capital, to start his own fruit-growing business.
“My parents were farmers, but they didn't grow avocados commercially,” Dennis explains as he walks around the farm in his light green overalls.
“After graduating from university, I could only find short-term jobs that didn't pay enough to cover all my expenses, including rent and transport. When Covid-19 hit and the situation became tougher, my only option was to move back to my home district.”
Tree tomatoes at the farm in Machakos.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Cultivating passion
The decision to leave the city was driven not only by financial necessity but also by a deep-rooted passion for farming.
“Farming is a business like any other,” he says. “Besides being a passion, I do it to make money. Nobody dislikes money, and people go into business to make a profit.”
In just four years, Dennis has transformed his family's farm into a thriving agricultural enterprise. He cultivates over 20 different crops on five acres of land, with apples and avocados being his main sources of income.
Apples at the farm.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
“I started with a few seedlings from my friends,” he recalls. “I grow my seedlings and then graft them. For the fruit varieties I didn't have, friends gave me trees for free, so I can't say I invested much capital into it initially.”
With 3,000 apple trees and 500 avocado trees, Dennis has built a profitable business.
“I can harvest up to three tonnes of apples in a season, with each tonne selling for Sh100,000. Apples have three seasons a year, while avocados have two,” he elaborates.
His produce is sold to high-end suppliers who also export the fruits. He also sells to supermarkets, including Zucchini.
Dennis's success is a testament to the potential of farming in Kenya, especially for young people disillusioned with city life and the lack of well-paying jobs.
His farm, with its rich mix of sand, clay, and loam soil, and the use of cow dung as fertiliser, has become the envy of his neighbours.
Dennis Mutua at his farm in Machakos on July 11, 2024.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Master of grafting
The 28-year-old has also mastered the art of grafting, allowing him to grow multiple fruits on a single tree.
“On one peach tree, I can grow grapes, plums, apricots, and peaches, all in their own season,” he notes.
However, the journey has not been without its challenges. Dennis initially struggled with crops like onions and oranges, which did not thrive in his area.
He also faced significant losses due to diseases such as blight and pest infestations, which wiped out around 200 apple trees and 10 mature avocado trees.
“These diseases dry out the trees from top to bottom, and combating them has been costly,” he admits.
Mandarin oranges also known as tangarines.
Photo credit: Lucy Wanjiru | Nation Media Group
Machakos being a dry area, he faces water scarcity. Dennis has dug trenches to collect rainwater, ensuring his trees continue to bear fruit even during dry periods. He also sought to enhance his agricultural knowledge by enrolling in college to study general agriculture.
This education has empowered him to train over 2,000 youths in his community, passing on his passion for farming.
Looking ahead, Dennis has ambitious plans for expansion, but not at the current farm.
“I don't see myself expanding this farm,” he says. “Instead, I envision owning over 1,000 acres with more than 100 different fruit trees. This farm is like a mother to me, nurturing and providing, but I want to see it grow and develop into something much larger.”
Reflecting on his journey, Dennis feels grateful for the lessons learned and the success achieved.
“There’s a lot of joy and freedom in running your own business,” he concludes. “Looking back, I only wish I had started farming earlier.”
