When Daniel Gitau first developed his multistorey garden more than a decade ago, he wasn't just trying to grow vegetables; he was looking to solve a challenge that many smallholder farmers in Kenya face —a serious lack of space.
“As a farmer with limited land, I kept asking myself: how can I grow more with less?” he recalls pondering, his voice still carrying the curiosity that sparked a quiet revolution.
This question led him to create a creative, patented vertical farming system that is now transforming lives across Kenya and beyond.
By replacing traditional horizontal farming with smart multistorey gardens, his innovation has redefined how crops are grown and reimagined what can be achieved on a small plot of land.
What began as an uncertain experiment in his backyard has evolved into a thriving agribusiness.
Today, his system serves a diverse range of users, including urban dwellers, families, schools, supermarkets and farmers in rural and arid areas. At his demonstration site in Kimunyu village in Gatundu, Kiambu County, Mr Gitau has established 180 of these multistorey gardens on just half an acre of land.
These gardens collectively support over 100 different crops, including spinach, sukuma wiki, strawberries, grapes, chia seeds, herbs, and fruits.
“These gardens prove something important,” he says. “Food doesn’t require acres and acres of land —it only requires innovation.”
Wonder Innovations farm founder Daniel Gitau harvests spinach at his farm in Kiambu on June 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
Each multistorey unit can host up to 120 vegetable plants, stacked vertically in a way that would allow only 16 plants to be grown using conventional ground planting.
In addition, the system reduces water usage, requiring only 20 litres per day. Its layered structure provides natural shade, minimising evaporation and retaining moisture, even during the dry months.
“The system retains moisture for longer, which is crucial when rainfall is low or erratic,” explains Jane Nyambura, the farm manager who has played a key role in refining and scaling up this approach.
A single multistorey garden can produce seven to nine kilogrammes of spinach or sukuma wiki every week. Averaging eight kilogrammes per unit, 10 multistorey gardens could generate up to 80 kilogrammes per week.
At the current market rate of Sh50 per kilogramme, this equates to Sh400 per unit per week, or approximately Sh6,000 per month.
Depending on consistency and market conditions, this could add up to between Sh128,000 and Sh208,000 annually.
For those ready to scale up, with just 50 multistorey gardens, a farmer could earn up to Sh1 million in yearly revenue.
“This income,” Ms Nyambura points out, “can cover major household expenses such as school fees and rent, or provide a reliable supplementary income.”
However, beyond the numbers, the beauty of the vertical gardens lies in accessibility. It is not just for commercial ventures: even families with no intention of selling their produce can reap significant benefits.
Carrots at the Wonder Innovations farm in Gatundu, Kiambu.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
“With just two multistorey gardens, a family of five can enjoy a steady supply of fresh vegetables almost all year round,” says Mr Gitau.
“That’s up to 16 kilogrammes of nutritious greens per week —far more than most households consume, and it comes straight from the backyard or rooftop,” adds Ms Nyambura.
“It’s clean food —you know exactly where it’s grown, what’s been used and when it was picked.” For families, it’s not just about saving money. It’s about taking control of their nutrition, health and overall lifestyle.
“When people realise that they no longer have to rush to the supermarket every few days for fresh vegetables, it’s a game changer. Their lives become simpler, their meals fresher and their diets more consistent.”
Despite the system’s potential and growing popularity, challenges remain. The biggest hurdle is the cost of materials.
“High-density polyethylene (HDPE) —the material we use for the multistorey gardens — is expensive, and sourcing it can be a nightmare,” admits Mr Gitau. “Prices have almost doubled in recent years.”
In response, they are developing an in-house solution. They plan to manufacture their own units using HDPE granules, which would reduce production costs and ensure consistent quality.
Another challenge is imitation. “Some people copy the design but use substandard materials. When those fall apart, our reputation suffers by association.”
So, what goes into these multistorey gardens?
Each unit is constructed from UV-treated HDPE and is designed to withstand the harsh sun and unpredictable weather.
A single unit costs around Sh1,500, while a fully installed multistorey garden —complete with soil, manure, seedlings and transport —ranges between Sh1,700 and Sh2,500. A Sh500 bag of manure serves two units, and seedlings cost around Sh30 each.
“We try to make it as user-friendly as possible. You can install the system yourself, or we can do it for you. Either way, we provide training and ongoing support,” says Ms Nyambura.
Their training approach is practical and hands-on. They deliver sessions on the farm and at client locations. Support continues even after the garden has been established.
Ms Nyambura encourages clients to send her videos or photos of their gardens. “If they encounter any difficulties, we provide guidance either virtually or in person,” she adds.
Wonder Innovations farm founder Daniel Gitau attends to strawberries at his farm in Kiambu on June 30, 2025.
Photo credit: Evans Habil | Nation Media Group
For the maintaining the garden watering is done twice a day for the first two weeks, then reduced to three times a week. Weeding is minimal and, between planting cycles, only the top four inches of soil need refreshing.
This system also excels in pest control. Ms Nyambura advocates organic practices.
“We teach farmers to plant pest-repelling herbs like basil or onions nearby, and we train them to make organic sprays that are safe to use even on the day of harvest,” she explains.
The system performs best with red or loam soil. Cotton soil is not recommended due to its tendency to expand and shrink, which can damage plant roots.
Beyond individual homes and farms, the impact of the multistorey gardens is spreading to institutions and communities.
Schools are reviving 4K Clubs using this system. Women’s groups in informal settlements are generating income while providing for their families. NGOs are installing multistorey gardens in arid regions to enhance food security.
“The goal is simple,” says Mr Gitau. “Bring food closer to where it’s consumed. This reduces waste, improves quality and cuts costs.”
