Incoming refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo brought with them to Kakuma not only memories of home, but farming skills that would soon transform their new environment. At its heart is Kakuma agriculture: a growing movement cemented on resilience and partnership.
Mbula Peggy was among the new arrivals. On a quiet Saturday morning, he walked into the Kakuma Refugee Camp to start all over. His hope shaped by the life he left behind became the foundation of what lay ahead: survival.
“We started with small kitchen gardens,” he says. “Just trying to grow something… anything.”
What started as a means of survival soon showed some remarkable potential and attracted the attention of WFP and FAO, who seemed to recognize what the refugees had already discovered: Kakuma’s agriculture could really flourish if supported properly.
“They believed in our idea,” Mbula recalls. “We had the skills. What we needed was support.”
Support came quickly. A dam was built to capture seasonal water flowing from the hills near the Uganda border and turn scarce rainfall into a reliable water source critical for the agriculture of Kakuma, where every drop counts.
From the dam, canals were dug, delivering water directly into farming plots. Soon, greenhouses rose from the desert sands, protecting the crops from Turkana’s unforgiving heat and winds.
With infrastructure came seeds suitable for the climate, farming tools, and hands-on training. Those early kitchen gardens soon developed into an organized community horticulture project molded by teamwork and shared purpose.
How Kakuma Agriculture Builds Bridges Between Communities
Besides increasing the production of food, Kakuma agriculture has forged influential links between the Congolese refugees tilling the land and the Turkana host community who own it.
“The Turkana people welcomed us,” Mbula says. “They had the land; we had the experience. We taught each other.”
Still, farming here in Turkana is demanding: scorching temperatures, tough soil, and persistent pests. “The heat here is different,” he laughs. “We work twice as hard to protect our crops.”
Still, the farmers forge ahead. Supported by Safaricom, they are saving money, taking in mobile payments, and keeping customers connected.
“With the phone, we can call buyers and tell them that their orders are ready. It makes everything easier.”
Today, what stands in Kakuma is more than farmland: a living example of resilience, collaboration, and belief that even in the desert, life can take root and flourish through Kakuma agriculture. Watch the video to learn more about this inspiring community growing hope in the desert.
