When Kenyan agripreneur Elijah Oenga inherited an 18-acre parcel of land in Oloosirkon, Tuala, in Kajiado County, he saw opportunity where others saw barrenness.
The property, acquired by his father in 1998 while Oenga was still a student, sits in one of Kenya’s arid and semi-arid landscapes, a region often dismissed as unsuitable for serious farming.
At first, Oenga shared the same doubts. The land appeared barren, covered in stubborn scrub and harsh savannah grass, and seemed unlikely to yield much.
Yet rather than sell it off, he made the decision to hold onto the inheritance and pursue a long-term plan to turn it into something productive.
Oenga, a graduate of Baraton University, later lived and worked in the United Kingdom, where he became deeply inspired by the country’s rich greenery. Scotland in particular left a lasting impression.
That exposure planted an idea: if the landscape could thrive there, perhaps elements of that success could be replicated back home, even in Kenya’s dry terrain.
After returning to Kenya, Oenga made a bold career shift. He walked away from positions as a procurement manager and a university lecturer to dedicate himself fully to developing the property.
The transformation began in 2017 with extensive clearing of rangau scrub, followed by soil restoration efforts and large-scale tree planting aimed at improving the land’s long-term fertility.
His farming venture took shape in 2018 when he invested Sh300,000 in his first greenhouse to cultivate basil. What started as a modest experiment has since grown into a thriving export operation. Today, Oenga runs 14 greenhouses producing basil for European markets.
Each greenhouse produces roughly 150 kilograms every 10 days, with a kilo going for Sh400. Onion sales also provide steady income, with prices ranging between Sh70 and Sh100 per kilogram depending on market demand and seasonality.
Beyond basil, his agribusiness includes bulb onion farming for the local market, an orchard featuring fruit and indigenous trees, and livestock rearing.
On the farm, he keeps poultry, ducks, rabbits and goats, building a diversified model designed to spread risk and generate multiple streams of income.
Building an Eco-Lodge and Events Destination
Oenga’s vision has expanded beyond farming. Five of the 18 acres have been developed into Ubuntu Kreative Village, an eco-lodge and events venue that blends hospitality with art, wellness and nature.
Located approximately eight kilometres from Ongata Rongai, the destination features a farmhouse, wellness stations, an events garden, and a gallery space that supports music and artistic performances. It has become a popular setting for weddings, cultural events and culinary experiences.
The farmhouse and an adjoining cottage currently provide four bedrooms, with expansion plans underway. Room rates range between Sh8,000 and Sh25,000 per night.
Guests also enjoy premium amenities including a sauna, jacuzzi, steam bath and massage facilities, offerings tailored to city residents seeking a quiet escape from Nairobi’s fast pace.
Environmental Turnaround
For Oenga, the most rewarding outcome has been environmental recovery. He recalls a time when the property was lifeless, with hardly any birds in sight.
Today, he says, more than 20 bird species regularly visit the land, a sign of ecosystem restoration that he considers one of his greatest achievements.
The entrepreneur’s journey has not come without challenges. He says some ventures, including strawberries, tomatoes, capsicum and Kuroiler chicken farming, failed to take off.
Additionally, water scarcity remains a persistent obstacle, forcing him to invest in water harvesting systems and boreholes to sustain both farming and hospitality operations.
Labour is another challenge, with the difficulty of securing and retaining skilled workers posing an ongoing concern.
Still, Oenga credits patience, calculated risk-taking, and diversification for keeping the enterprise resilient.
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