The road to the transformation of Kenya’s agricultural industry has received a major boost following the kicking off of a graduate internship program between the University of Nairobi and Elgon Kenya Ltd.

The pioneer group of twenty fresh graduates recruited through a competitive process was unveiled at an exciting event at the University’s Council Chambers on 6^th April 2022, termed by all speakers as a historical development, being the first-time academy and industry were partnering in offering field training to agriculture graduates.

For Elgon Kenya, this is a unique way of appreciating an industry that is the foundation of the business and moulding the minds of future leaders.

University of Nairobi Vice-Chancellor Prof. Stephen Kiama termed the partnership a major step in training young graduates by giving them the opportunity to showcase their intellectual prowess, create new knowledge and innovations required to take agriculture to the next level.  He said the internship seeks to nurture street smart graduates to create employment or seek jobs.

Treasury Principal Secretary Dr. Julius Muia lauded the move as a milestone that has been missing in the link between knowledge and practice. Industry, he said, will no longer be short of innovation following the graduate internship programme launch.

Mrs. Ruth Kagia, Advisor at the Office of the President, termed the initiative a driver of Vision 2030 goal dubbed Generation Unlimited which seeks to ensure all young people are either in school or working.

British Chamber of Commerce CEO Ms. Farida Abbas pledged support for the programme as part of Youth in Agriculture support.

Elgon Kenya was led by the Managing Director Dr. Bimal Kantaria who is also the Chair of Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET) and KEPSA Director in charge of Food Security and Climate Change.