When people see the work of Esther Kiruthi Kagai, a KCOA Master Trainer and CEO of Cshep Kenya Organic Foods (CSHEP) affilaited to PELUM Kenya, they often assume she always had a clear career path in organic agriculture, agroecology, and community development.

But her journey tells a different story, one shaped by uncertainty, difficult choices, deep personal sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to serve communities.

What began as a search for stability evolved into a lifelong calling to transform lives through agroecology.

Early Pathways: Searching for Direction

Esther’s first professional training was a Diploma in Organic Agriculture from the Kenya Institute of Organic Farming. However, like many young professionals seeking stability, she later pursued a different direction and trained as a P2 teacher, briefly working in a classroom for one school term.

At the time, teaching seemed like a practical and secure path. But life soon redirected her journey.

The Turning Point: Discovering the Power of Community Impact

A major shift came when she joined the Afya II Project, where she trained women from the Maasai community on kitchen gardening.

It was during this period that she witnessed the true power of knowledge in action:

• Women growing food for their families
• Children accessing more nutritious meals
• Women earning income from surplus produce
• Confidence and dignity being restored in households

Most importantly, she saw that knowledge could transform entire communities.

When the project ended, Esther could not walk away from what she had witnessed. That experience became the foundation for something much bigger.

The Birth of CSHEP: A Vision Without Resources

This is how the Community Sustainable Agriculture and Health Environmental Programme (CSHEP) was born.

At its beginning, CSHEP was not an institution with funding or networks, it was a vision driven by purpose.

For eight years, Esther worked without donor funding. She wrote countless proposals, only to receive repeated rejections.

“We regret to inform you…”

These words became familiar, yet painful reminders of the challenges of building something from nothing.

Despite the setbacks, she continued working with communities, supported by a deep belief that the work mattered.

During this period, Esther gave birth to her firstborn twins, adding new responsibility to an already difficult journey.

Without a salary or reliable income, she continued serving communities driven by conviction rather than financial security.

Even when she was later posted by the Teachers Service Commission, she faced a defining decision: return to stable employment or continue with CSHEP.

Her husband played a critical role in that moment, encouraging her to remain committed to the communities whose lives were already changing through her work.

That decision became a turning point in her life.

Breakthrough: When Belief Met Opportunity

After years of persistence, Esther’s breakthrough came through a recommendation from John Wilson, which connected CSHEP to Tudor Trust—resulting in the first funding the organisation had ever received.

Though modest, this support meant everything.

It was the first external validation that CSHEP’s vision mattered.

From that moment, the organisation began to grow in strength, reach, and impact.

Growth Through Learning and Partnerships

Esther continued to build her knowledge and expertise, pursuing:

• Biointensive Agriculture studies. See Knowledge Product; https://kcoa-africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/KP-2-THE-8-PRINCIPLES-OF-GROW-BIOINTENSIVE-1.pdf
• Project Management training. See Knowledge Product; https://kcoa-africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Gambia-The-1100001643-Nema-Project-Completion-Report.pdf
• Bachelor of Science in Agroecological Agriculture at Uganda Martyrs University

Along the way, partnerships with organizations such as CIAT, PELUM Kenya, GGF, and other collaborators strengthened CSHEP’s ability to reach more farmers and communities.

CSHEP Today: From Vision to Impact

Today, CSHEP is no longer just a vision, it is a living network of transformation.

Through Esther’s leadership, the organization has:

• Empowered thousands of farmers
• Supported women and youth in agriculture
• Strengthened food security and nutrition
• Promoted agroecology and organic farming systems

What was once a struggling initiative has become a platform for community resilience and sustainable agriculture.

Recognition: Celebrating Impact in Agroecology

Esther’s long-standing commitment to agroecology and community transformation has earned her wider recognition.

She was honored by Kenya Excellent Brand as the “Most Outstanding Young Woman in Agriculture.”

This award reflects years of dedication to promoting safe, healthy, and sustainable food systems. For Esther, it is not an individual achievement alone, but a reflection of the collective effort of farmers, partners, and communities who have walked this journey with her.

She extends her appreciation to the CSHEP team and farmers from Ndeiya, Kiserian, and Nairobi (INOGOF) for their commitment to sustainable agriculture, which continues to inspire her work.

Each training, farmer engagement, and seed shared has contributed to this milestone, strengthening her resolve to continue advancing agroecology for resilient communities and a sustainable future.

Esther Wangari Kiruthi receivs recognition as “Most Outstanding Young Woman in Agriculture” from Kenya Excellent Brand, honoring her contribution to agroecology, organic farming, and community transformation.

In addition to this recognition, CSHEP has also been honored by RMM Kiambu County as the Best Grassroots Organisation in Kiambu County for Environmental Conservation. This recognition highlights the organisation’s strong community-based approach to promoting sustainable agriculture, environmental stewardship, and grassroots climate action.

KCOA Master Trainer: Scaling Knowledge Across Communities

Esther also serves as a KCOA Master Trainer within the KHEA–KCOA network trained by IFOAM Organics International, where she plays a key role in strengthening agroecological knowledge sharing across countries in Eastern Africa.

Through this role, she supports farmer learning, facilitates capacity-building sessions, and contributes to the scaling of agroecological practices within the region.

She has also conducted online training sessions under the KCOA platform, helping extend learning beyond physical training spaces and reaching wider audiences of farmers, trainers, and practitioners interested in sustainable agriculture.

This work connects local community experiences with regional knowledge exchange, ensuring that agroecology is not only practiced but continuously shared, adapted, and strengthened across different contexts.

Strengthening Markets Through PGS and Agroecology

Esther’s work also focuses on strengthening organic markets through the Participatory Guarantee System (PGS).

She has supported farmer groups to:

• Organize collectively
• Build trust-based organic certification systems
• Access better markets for organic produce
• Improve household incomes

This has strengthened both production and market systems, ensuring sustainability beyond farming practices.

Farmer groups reflecting improved market access and trust in organic produce systems supported through CSHEP.

A Story of Persistence, Purpose, and Impact

Esther’s journey is a powerful reminder that meaningful change rarely follows a straight path.

It is shaped by:

• Persistence through rejection
• Faith in a long-term vision
• Community trust
• Strategic learning and partnerships

Her story demonstrates that agroecology is not only a farming system, it is a pathway to dignity, resilience, and transformation.

Today, Esther continues her mission to:

• Promote agroecology and organic farming. See knowledge product; https://kcoa-africa.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Organic-Farming-training-curriculum-1-3.pdf
• Mentor young people
• Preserve indigenous seeds
• Strengthen farmer-led systems
• Expand community resilience

Her journey reflects a simple but powerful truth:

Lasting impact begins when purpose is stronger than uncertainty.

Disclaimer:

– To learn about the KCOA Project: https://kcoa-africa.org/

– To learn about the KHEA Project: https://khea-africa.org/

– For more details on this article, please reach out to pmagino@biovisionafrica.org

– See the license statement of all KCOA content: https://kcoa-africa.org/license-statement/ , which applies to all content from hubs implementing the KCOA project.