Posted on May, 27, 2025 at 04:03 pm
From the picturesque village of Chepsigot in Keiyo South Sub-County, Jesca Kiprop is nurturing more than just crops, she is cultivating a powerful movement for environmental restoration, climate action, and community empowerment.
At just 32 years old, Jesca, a mother of three and a trained accountant, has emerged as a leading voice in the Restore Africa programme, an initiative aimed at reclaiming degraded lands, building climate resilience, and improving livelihoods. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Kenyatta University, but it is in her soil-rich backyard that her true passion has flourished.
“My father nurtured me to love farming from a young age,” Jesca recalls with pride. “And the late Professor Wangari Maathai inspired me to consider environmental conservation a calling.”
Today, Jesca is the lead farmer for Restore Africa in her area, a role that has transformed her farm into a learning hub for others. Her demonstration plot is bursting with life: mango trees, beans, tomatoes, sukuma wiki, cassava, bananas, oranges, and paw paws grow side by side in a model of integrated, organic agriculture.
“We’ve planted 30 mango trees as part of the demonstration, and other farmers use the farm to learn best practices in tree planting and crop integration,” she explains.
“Beans are intercropped with fruit trees, and we practice good agronomic techniques to ensure the land remains fertile and productive.”
Jesca is not just a farmer, she’s a trainer, mobilizer, and environmentalist. She is involved in multiple county and national programs, including the Emergency Response Locust Program and the Food System Resilience Program. Through her leadership, she has helped establish 13 farmer groups in Chepsigot alone, each with about 15 members, promoting peer-to-peer learning and collective action.
“We’ve embraced integrated farming, which includes rearing poultry, sheep, and goats,” Jesca says.
“The manure from the animals is our only fertilizer, we don’t use chemicals here. Everything is organic, and the benefits are evident in our healthy crops and soils.”
As part of Restore Africa, Jesca and thousands of farmers across Elgeyo Marakwet are contributing to a bold target of planting over 3.654 million trees, restoring 33,157 hectares of land, and uplifting 44,784 households. The programme, launched in March 2023, has three key pillars: improving livelihoods, restoring degraded lands, and tapping into carbon markets.
“The carbon credit component is especially motivating,” Jesca notes. “By planting and caring for trees like mangoes or indigenous species, farmers not only benefit from fruits and timber, but also earn from carbon credits. It’s a win-win for us and the planet.”
Her demonstration plot is also home to 21 indigenous trees planted along her farm’s boundaries. “I have Mwarubaini, Soget, which is medicinal, and Coloswage. These trees help in restoring biodiversity, providing medicine, and conserving the soil,” she says.
However, Jesca acknowledges that the journey is not without challenges. “Water scarcity is a big issue in this ASAL (Arid and Semi-Arid Lands) region,” she laments. “Keeping young trees alive without irrigation is tough. And not everyone can afford fencing, so livestock often damage crops.”
Market access remains another hurdle for many smallholder farmers. “Brokers often exploit us by buying produce at throwaway prices,” she says.
“That’s why it’s important to understand market trends. Through Restore Africa, we’ve been linked with off-takers who buy our produce directly, helping reduce exploitation.”
Jesca’s background in finance has also been instrumental in the success of her farm. “My education helps with bookkeeping, managing farm expenses, and doing cost-benefit analyses,” she says. “That knowledge is key to running a profitable farm.”
Beyond the numbers and plants, Jesca is driven by a deep sense of purpose. “I always tell young people: don’t sit at home waiting for white-collar jobs. Farming is not being primitive; it’s empowerment,” she asserts. “When you start farming, you become your employer. You can even create jobs for others.”
“Don’t say there are no jobs; start farming. You can employ yourself and even others. Farming is not backward, it’s empowering. It gives you independence, which will enhance self-reliance and financial independence.”
Thomas Amwashigi, who works with World Vision Kenya and is in charge of livelihood and resilience, noted that the Restore Africa Program is a project of the Global Evergreen Alliance (GEA) that has various partners, with World Vision Kenya being the managing partner in the country.
Other partners include Africa Harvest Biotech Foundation International, Just Dig It, ICRAF, Self Help Africa, and Green Belt Movement.
Each partner plays a unique role. Africa Harvest focuses on the livelihoods component; ICRAF leads on policy and research; Just Dig It handles media and communication, while Self Help Africa leads implementation in Elgeyo Marakwet. Other counties in Kenya implementing the program include Migori, Narok, Kilifi, and Kwale.
Elgeyo Marakwet has a target of involving 44,784 farmers, planting 3.654 million trees, and restoring 33,157 hectares of land.
Amwashigi explains that the farmers selected value chains like cassava, sorghum, avocado, and mango, crops that promise high returns.
“They’re free to intercrop or plant trees along their farm boundaries. The goal is sustainable land use that boosts income and fights climate change.” Amwashigi adds
According to Jesca, the local community has welcomed the programme enthusiastically.
“The focus on fruit and indigenous trees was well received, especially in the Kerio Valley, where land degradation is severe. We’re grateful the project is helping restore our environment while improving our lives.”
Jesca looks around her farm with satisfaction. “This is more than a piece of land, it’s a classroom, a source of income, and a solution to climate change,” she says.
She is now urging more residents to embrace the program. This is about more than just farming. It’s about fighting climate change, restoring our environment, and securing our future. The benefits go beyond individual farmers; they uplift entire communities.
She remains hopeful and determined. “The land is our future,” she says. “With the right knowledge and support, we can restore it, thrive from it, and leave something better for the next generation.”
Her message is clear: plant trees, lift your life, and build a future where the soil beneath our feet sustains generations to come.
Source: KNA