ELGEGO MARAKWET, Kenya – A new wave is sweeping across most parts of Kenya. Farmers are returning to traditional seeds to fight the devastating effects of climate change and food insecurity.
Kenya’s economy relies on agriculture, which makes major contributions to GDP, employment (particularly in rural areas), and earnings from exports of significant products, including tea, coffee, and horticulture (flowers and fresh fruit).
However, in Kenya, farmers are facing rising weather conditions coupled with crop failure. Against this backdrop, indigenous communities such as the Sengwer and Ogiek, who occupy parts of the North Rift region, are now embracing traditional varieties that are more resilient and adaptable to local conditions.
The Sengwer and Ogiek are among the Kenyan communities that have built local seed banks and established farmer networks to share and preserve seeds and replace plants when the seeds fail.
For instance, to promote the agroecological transition in East Africa for community resilience, food and nutrition security, and land justice, community members organised by the Sengwer Embobut Community-Based Organisation (SEECBO) joined forces with interested parties to establish an agroecology project called “Roots of Sovereignty” at the Sengwer Cultural Center.
The cultural center gives its members a forum to educate the younger generation about food systems, who will then use technology to spread that knowledge. The Global Green Fund funded the initiative, which is being carried out in Kenya and Uganda.
The Sengwer Embobut Community-Based Organisation (CBO) works to advance climate-resilient and sustainable farming methods, increase agroecology policy advocacy, and support indigenous land rights and governance through sustainable resource management.
Why the indigenous crops are a game-changer for Kenyan communities
This shift is helping farmers harvest their farm produce all year round while cutting costs and also reducing dependency on commercial seeds.
“As a community, we have seen it wise to revive our indigenous crops because they are healthy. They can make you live longer. These crops are free of toxic chemicals that can cause deadly diseases like cancer. All we are saying is that we need to go back to our indigenous foods as a nation,” said Paul Kiptum, alias Kiptuga, Chairman of the Sengwer Council of Elders, Embobut Forest.
With hybrid seeds becoming expensive and unreliable, more Kenyan farmers are choosing highly nutritious leafy greens like African Nightshade (Managu), Amaranth (Terere), and Spider Plant (Sagaa), legumes like Cowpeas (Kunde) and Mung Beans, drought-tolerant grains like Sorghum, Arrowroots and Millet, and traditional vegetables like Jute Mallow (Mrenda), Pumpkin Leaves, and Ethiopian Kale all considered indigenous crops in the country.
“When it comes to food, we used to depend on one type of crop. For example, if you plant maize or beans, you can only harvest once a year. But the indigenous varieties like arrowroots can be harvested all year round,” said Martha Wangui, a farmer from Kamata village in Embu County.
The SEECBO project is implemented by four (4) organisations, two (2) in Kenya and two others in Uganda. In Kenya, the Sengwer Embobut CBO focuses primarily on strengthening the agroecology policy advocacy, promoting indigenous land rights and governance through sustainable resource management and promoting climate-resilient and sustainable farming practices. The other partner in Kenya is the Kenya Peasant League (KPL).
On the other hand, the Ugandan partners include the Uganda Youth at Risk Development Network (UYDNET) and the Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA).
How can Kenyan youth contribute to food security?
Together, these partners form a robust, interdisciplinary coalition committed to building resilient food systems through agroecology for Sustainable Development Goals 2 Zero Hunger, 5 Gender Equality and 13 Climate Action.
Albina Chemosop, a member of the Sengwer Embobut CBO, disclosed that they are focused on reviving traditional foods by incorporating the youth in their endeavours.
For Albina, the youth can contribute to food security by embracing innovation in agribusiness, adopting technology for efficiency, leading sustainable farming practices, advocating for supportive policies, and engaging in community projects like urban gardens, transforming agriculture from a traditional sector into a modern, profitable, and essential industry for local and global food systems.
“These indigenous crops that we are out to revive are climate-resilient. Our youth are also able to document seed sovereignty, security and nutrition. By doing so, they can share this content online. This can easily get the attention of policymakers and the government, who, in turn, can support us through the ministries of agriculture and environment,” explained Albina.
Albina revealed that she has been able to bring together youth and women to ensure the sustainability of the project.
“On most occasions, you find that women are the sole breadwinners in the community. I am urging the Department of Agriculture to support me because you find that the soil is very acidic, thus giving rise to weak farm produce. I urge them to do soil sampling so that through these tests, we can determine the best quality of fertiliser that we should use,” Albina further explained.
Albina said that at the moment, they are using manure from their livestock so that the soil can regain fertility.
“We are also appealing to the county government and other partners to come on board so that we can see the implementation of similar projects in other parts of the country, not just here in Embobut,” added Albina.
Promoting agroecology transition for land justice and food nutrition
During the launch of the project, the event brought together the Sengwer Council of Elders (SCoE), Indigenous forest and local communities organisations –the Chepkitale Indigenous Peoples Development Project (CIPDP), HUNGAFO-K, the Ogiek Peoples Development Program (OPDP), HUG CEDAR CBO, the Kapkok Seet Youth Group, PWDs representatives, the Elgeyo Marakwet county government department of Agriculture and Irrigation, and the office of the president, represented by Chief and village elders.
Elias Kimaiyo, the director of the Sengwer-Embobut CBO, maintained that the project was aimed at promoting agroecology transition for land justice and food nutrition, and also security of food security.
“When the Sengwer community was evicted from their ancestral land in Embobut Forest, we lost so many things; for example, we lost our traditional seeds, which we are now trying to revive. Following our eviction, there was mismanagement of how sustainably we used our land. Our land became barren, such that we can’t grow any crops there. But using the little resources we received from the Global Green Grants Fund, we are looking at how best to heal our soils and enable us to grow our nutritious foods. We are aiming to promote and empower women because they are the ones who put food on the table in our homesteads,” Kimaiyo explained, stating that they are also keen on pushing for land tenure rights to continue healing our soils and producing our natural food systems.
Phoebe Ndiema, a member of the Ogiek community from Kitale in Trans Nzoia County, observed that, looking at the current system of food, there is a lot of loss in the traditional food system.
“Ogiek, being an indigenous community, we are privileged to learn from our Sengwer brothers and sisters on the conservation and preservation of traditional crops. I want to pass this message to my fellow youth so that they can learn and ensure there is intergenerational transmission of knowledge from elders who are exiting in natural ways and also memory loss,” said Ndiema.
Ndiema reiterated that there is a dire need to ensure that this knowledge is documented so that indigenous communities can bring the innovation; they have to keep it in their records.
“I encourage my fellow youth to join such forums and learn. These traditional food systems are promoting good health through a balanced diet, and as a young woman, I believe we can pass this message through the documentation of knowledge, and I know there are other youth networks like the Kenya Youth Indigenous Network, which is playing a key role in this, and other CBOs in different hunter-gatherer forums that are already documenting this knowledge,” explained Ndiema.
Inside Kenya’s punitive Seed and Plant Varieties Act
Grace Chepkorir Kipkosgei, a member of the Sengwer-Embobut CBO, urged her fellow women to train on how best they can conserve their indigenous crops for sustainability.
“Currently, we have 119 seed varieties in our local seed bank. We are now advocating that we consume organic foods. We should no longer use chemicals on our crops because we want to live healthier and longer,” disclosed Chepkorir.
In November 2025, the Kenyan High Court ruled in favour of smallholder farmers, finding that the Seed and Plant Varieties Act’s punitive provisions were unconstitutional, marking a significant victory for food sovereignty and climate justice.
By confirming that Farmer-Managed Seed Systems (FMSS) are a protected right rather than criminal conduct, the ruling essentially decriminalised the long-standing custom of conserving, distributing, and trading native seeds.
A law that threatened two years in prison and a fine of Sh 1 million (roughly 7,800 USD) for selling or exchanging unregistered seeds had plagued Kenyan farmers for years, essentially giving multinational corporations control over the nation’s food system. The ruling, however, ended that monopoly.
In 2022, 15 farmers from the Seed Savers Network filed a landmark constitutional petition at the Machakos High Court, challenging the compatibility of Kenya’s Seed and Plant Varieties Act (SPVA) with the Constitution of Kenya (2010). The petition argued that restrictive provisions of the SPVA, particularly those that criminalise farmers’ rights to share, exchange, and sell their own farm-saved seeds, violate constitutional rights, including the right to food, culture, and property.
The farmers further contend that the Act failed to recognise FMSS, despite their central role in seed access, agrobiodiversity conservation, and community resilience across the country.
Following the judgement, farmers observed that the case marked a pivotal moment for their rights and food sovereignty in Kenya.
What is the significance of Kenya’s small-scale farmers?
Samuel Wathome, a smallholder farmer who was petitioner number 1 in the case, said the ruling carries major implications for the country’s seed sector.
“I have waited years to hear these words. My grandmother saved seeds, and the court ruled I can do the same for my grandchildren without fear of police or prison. Today, the farmer is king again,” Wathome said amid jubilation.
However, on December 2, 2025, the Kenyan government vowed to appeal the court ruling. It should be remembered that in October 2024, the then government claimed that the law does not stop seed sharing and saving between farmers, and this was a key part of that line for non-commercial purposes.
According to the Kenya Plant Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS), and Journal of Sustainable Development, Seed Systems Support in Kenya, March 2025 reports, small-scale farmers produce about 75% of Kenya’s agricultural output and 70% of the market produce in the country. So, the law’s impact would have been significant.
According to the 2015 study, nearly 8 out of every 10 seeds that farmers in this country use come from informal sources. Either their own seeds from prior harvest or community seed banks.
Emily Kenama, Litigation and Research Counsel of Katiba Institute, who was the one prosecuting this case on behalf of the plaintiffs, said that they will wait and see what grounds of appeal the State will appeal.
“They might appeal on all grounds, they might appeal on some of the grounds but it would be good to see the documentation by the State but it shows their intend saying that they do not agree with what the court has said but in kenya there is the right of appeal and they can appeal it but farmers at the moment have that right and safety that they cannot be arrested or criminalised for using the indigeneous seeds,” explained Kenama.
The Sengwer Community holds an indigenous food festival
Following the ruling, a group of smallholder farmers in Trans Nzoia County joined their colleagues in expressing gratitude to the court for the decision.
Speaking during the indigenous food festival held by members of the Sengwer Community living along the Kapolet Forest in Cherangany, Trans-Nzoia County, the farmers said the Act was discriminatory and favoured commercial seed companies.
The two-day competition focused on celebrating and showcasing the rich indigenous Sengwer foods. Each participating village prepared a tent where they displayed various traditional dishes.
They were judged on how well they arranged their foods, the creativity and cultural presentation of their tent decorations, and how clearly they explained the nutritional value and cultural relevance of each dish.
This was done to highlight the depth of knowledge and heritage embedded in our food traditions.
The participation was from five villages: Kipsoen, Mogotu, Segerger, Kapkongor, and Kapchemakwer. The judges assessed the teams based on food variety, presentation, cultural aesthetics, clarity in explaining nutrition, and overall organisation.
All teams performed exceptionally well and were acknowledged as winners. However, Mogotu Village emerged as the overall best team based on the judging criteria.
During the festival, as part of the awards, each team received indigenous yellow maize seeds, red maize seeds, and a cash token of appreciation. These gifts were chosen intentionally to promote the continued use and preservation of local seeds that grow naturally and thrive in our region without requiring expensive inputs like fertilisers.
Meanwhile, during the ruling, Justice Rhoda Rutto said the government had imposed punitive fines that could attract up to two years in jail for using uncertified seeds. The move effectively criminalised the traditional ways of saving and sharing indigenous seeds that have been passed down through generations.
In her judgement, Justice Rutto declared unconstitutional sections of the Act which gave seed inspectors sweeping powers to raid seed banks and seize seeds meant for the next harvest, made it illegal for farmers to process or sell seeds unless they were registered seed merchants, gave extensive proprietary rights to plant breeders and none to farmers, and made it illegal for farmers to save or share seeds from their harvest without prior knowledge of seed proprietors.
Kenyans react to the Seed and Plant Varieties Act’s court ruling
While reacting to the ruling, Elizabeth Atieno, Food Campaigner at Greenpeace Africa, said, “The shackles had been removed from Kenya’s farmers.”
“The court has affirmed what we have known all along: Seed is Sovereign. This is not just a legal win; it is a victory for our culture, our resilience, and our future. By validating indigenous seeds, the court has struck a blow against the corporate capture of our food system. We can finally say that in Kenya, feeding your community with climate-resilient, locally adapted seeds is no longer a crime,” explained Atieno.
According to Wambugu Wanjohi, a Legal Counsel for the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), which supported the petition, the court had correctly interpreted the Constitution to find that the rights of farmers supersede punitive and restrictive commercially driven laws that infringe on their inherent rights.
“This judgement sets a powerful legal precedent not only for Kenya but also for the entire African continent,” explained Wambugu.
Greenpeace Africa and its partners called on the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock Development to immediately align national policy with the judgment and support the formal recognition of Farmer-Managed Seed Systems.
Now, after the government failed to impose a ban on unregistered seeds, farmers continue with their efforts to preserve local knowledge and ensure food security.
Some indigenous farmers like the Sengwer have developed crops that are resistant to specific local pests and diseases, reducing the need for local chemical pesticides, and are equally cheaper than the hybrids.
“The GMO-produced foods that the government was trying to impose on us rely on chemical fertilisers, and that is why we have cancer being rampant today. We need to trigger a food systems conservation in Kenya by saying that enough is enough; we need to go back to our roots and see where we veered off the road and have sustainable food systems. We need to catch up with the world by developing alternatives through community-driven conservation initiatives,” explained Kimaiyo.
Why Seed Savers Network is working closely with devolved units
After the High Court ruling, some county governments are now also supporting climate-smart farming, while scientists are working to certify and improve indigenous seeds for better, broader use.
In late 2025, Nakuru County launched its Agroecology Policy following a conversation that began two years ago at the Seed Savers Network learning center in Gilgil, when Members of the Agricultural Committee of the County Assembly visited the facility for a sensitisation meeting on food safety.
One key recommendation from that engagement was that Nakuru County needed an Agroecology Policy. Fast forward to November 2025: that recommendation had grown, through dialogue, collaboration, and collective commitment, into a county policy that recognises agroecology, indigenous seeds, biodiversity and sustainable farming as central to our food systems.
Additionally, Seed Savers Network has also partnered with the PELUM Kenya Association in supporting the Department of Agriculture in the County Government of Kakamega to advance the Kakamega Agroecology Policy.
This policy is a significant step toward institutionalising agroecology at the county level, recognising the vital role of farmers, biodiversity, and sustainable seed systems in building resilient food systems. Strengthening such partnerships ensures that policies are grounded in community realities and contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s transition to agroecological farming.
Seed Savers Network Executive Director Daniel Wanjama disclosed that 80% of the seeds that they are growing rely on farmers’ saved seeds.
“Farmers need to save their seeds, and it is also important for the conservation of agricultural biodiversity. Otherwise, we will lose our agricultural biodiversity if we only rely on seeds from the commercial seed system,” explained Wanjama.
Seed banks play a critical role in ensuring Kenya’s food security
Seeds Savers Network engages over 120,000 farmers in Kenya, including those from the Sengwer and Ogiek communities, through conserving agrobiodiversity and strengthening farmer-managed seed systems.
“The seeds that we are saving are indigenous. They are seeds that are adapted to the environment. These are seeds that can withstand harsh climatic conditions. This makes these seeds the ultimate answer to any kind of climate change, including extreme weather events,” added Anne Wambui, the Seed Bank and Nursery Officer at the Seeds Savers Network.
Martha Njenga, another traditional farmer from Embu County, reiterated that seed banks help farmers to access seeds at the right time when they want to plant.
“Seed banks also come in handy during the dry season. If farmers lose their crops, they can come for the seeds. They don’t have to go searching for the seeds at a time when they don’t have money to buy them,” explained Martha.
Tabitha Munyiri, the communications lead at Seeds Savers Network, echoed Martha’s sentiments, observing that seed saving is important for various reasons.
“Especially when you look at women and the important role that seed saving is playing in their lives. These are the testimonies that we get from the women and seed ambassadors we work with,” said Tabitha.
A look into Seed Savers Network’s seed boot camps
Different Kenyan communities and organisations continue to flock to the seed boot camps organised by the Seed Savers Network, where the participants take part in a series of field visits and interactive sessions that bring seed sovereignty and agroecology to life.
At the farms, lead farmers and participants learn practical ways to strengthen community resilience through bio-intensive kitchen gardening, water conservation, and organic pest and weed management — powerful examples of how sustainable practices can drive food and seed sovereignty.
The visits to community seed banks offer hands-on learning about seed-saving technologies, community seed management, and how farmers can sustain functional, farmer-led seed systems that preserve local agrobiodiversity.
Here, discussions deepen understanding of movement building, farmers’ rights, and how evolving seed laws, including the Seed and Plant Varieties Act, affect smallholder farmers.
The energy, curiosity, and collaboration among participants reflect a shared commitment to protecting seeds, our food, and our future.
As a result of this, many communities across Kenya are today establishing seed banks and farmer networks to share and conserve indigenous seed varieties.
There are pointers that such a move is very much part of a wider global shift towards climate-resilient traditional agriculture as the world battles the shocks of climate change.
But Kenya’s unique success story signals a great step in ensuring food security in the East African nation.
