Elijah Oenga turns dry Kajiado into export farm, eco-lodge

“I never thought anything good could come from the land since it is in an arid and semi-arid land region,” he says.

Selling the land located in Oloosirkon, Tuala, Kajiado County was never an option, and so he started gradually transforming it.

An alumnus of Baraton University and having lived in the UK, he says he wanted to replicate the serenity of these areas in Kajiado.

“I went to the UK to pursue a Master’s degree, and, fortunately, I found work there,” he says, “Baraton University is beautiful, green, and well-organised, much like parts of the UK, particularly Scotland, where the lush greenery and scenic landscape captivated me and deepened my appreciation for green spaces.”

When he came back, he worked as a procurement manager and lecturer at Kabarak University but quit to focus on making something out of his inherited land.

The land was initially dominated by thorny rangau trees, named by the Maasai for their small, acacia-like shape and sharp bristles.

Read: Aggregation: Mathematician finds formula for profitable fish value chain

“These trees are like the water hyacinth of the region. The land was dusty, covered with harsh savannah grass,” he says.

In 2017, he began restoring the land by planting trees during the rainy seasons.

A believer in the philosophy of small beginnings, he began transforming the land over time, likening his approach to how ants build an anthill. In 2018, he went into farming, investing Sh300,000 in his first greenhouse to grow basil, a culinary herb.

His dedication paid off, leading to 14 greenhouses where he now grows basil for export.

In addition to basil, he cultivates bulb onions in open fields, maintains an orchard of various fruit trees, and keeps poultry, ducks, rabbits, and gala goats. His orchard includes indigenous and exotic trees as well as fruit trees.

The eco-lodge

Of the 18 acres, Mr Oenga transformed five acres into an eco-lodge. He named it Ubuntu Kreative Village.

It has a farmhouse, wellness stations, an events garden, and even a music and art gallery.

“It all stems from my passion for nature,” he says.

From an arid bare land, located about eight kilometres from Ongata Rongai town, he now has guests who pay for weddings, music events, comedy shows, and cooking events.

The farmhouse and cottage have four bedrooms, with plans to add four more soon, where he charges from Sh8,000 to Sh25,000.

He also has a sauna, jacuzzi, massage area, and steam bath facilities.

“City people are often weighed down by work and family stress. Here, they can unwind and leave reenergised,” he says.

Read: How sisters turned family tea farm into an export business

Export earnings

For the basil, which he solely grows for export to Europe, he sells it for about Sh400 per kilo. Each of the 14 greenhouses yields around 150 kilos every 10 days, with a three-month harvest cycle.

The onions are sold locally, fetching between Sh70 to Sh100 per kilo, depending on the season.

Of all of his accomplishments, he says the seven-year transformation of his father’s land has been the most rewarding.

“Restoring a dryland is my greatest accomplishment. When I first came here, there was not a single bird. Today, we have over 20 bird species that visit the farm. Isn’t that growth?” He poses.

Challenges

His journey, however, has not been without setbacks, including losses in ventures with strawberries, tomatoes, capsicum, and Kuroiler chickens.

However, giving up has never crossed his mind.

“I attribute my success to patience and dedication. In entrepreneurship, multiple income streams are essential. People often fail because they rely on a single venture,” he says, emphasising that diversification is central to his approach and that he invests only what he can afford to lose.

Water scarcity remains a constant challenge in Rangau, prompting Mr Oenga to adopt water-harvesting technologies, including an underground tank and a borehole.

He also faces difficulties in finding and retaining skilled staff.

Starting with two employees, he now has 12 permanent staff members and employs around 20 additional workers on a casual basis.

→ [email protected]