Finally! After five years of praying, planning, procrastinating & lots of giving up on this dream - by God’s grace today we officially launch Coffee 254.
It’s also my birthday today, so if we share a birthday, a cuppa of Latte Macchiato, Cappuccino, Mocha, Vanilla Latte… 1/2
Was this his end game? Watch as the country burns then perhaps declare a State of Emergency? What does the President stand to gain from the chaos he has allowed?
Remember, this is Chess, not Checkers…
The blood of every innocent person who lost their life today is on you, Mr.
Unemployment robs you of dignity, reduces you to a charity case & elicits sniggering comments from relatives & friends. It depresses you into questioning your self worth, eats into your emotional well-being & can sap your confidence. May things look up for you this month 🙏🏾
I thought it was unemployment, Tea, Coffee & Rice prices, access to market for farm produce, alcohol abuse & not enough water to make soup. We must be new to you.
Was consulting for a client who told me he has a ‘small’ farm in Kitengela that needs my help - I get there & let me tell you, this 10 acres of lush Green veggies is farming goals to me! I advised him to have farm records, go solar, hire a manager & have a farm shop.
I experienced first class racism at CDG (Charles De Gaulle) airport in Paris, France. FWB - Flying While Black is something no one adequately prepares you for. If you can avoid transiting through this airport, please do.
If serene was a place...
This is someone's compound in Kapsimotwo, Tinderet, Nandi County - Some farmers here are living the life I'd love to, one day 🙏
Photo 1: Before the rains. Photo 2: After the rains. The pond holds 144,000L of water, cost about 43k (dam liner & labor.) I'd have spent 980k if I bought 14 plastic tanks with a 10k liter capacity! We must make water harvesting an adaptation mechanism for smallholder farmers.
I’d have preferred a well researched article, preferably by a journalist with an Agricultural background, with data & statistics on consumption trends & consumer behavior. Tell Kenyans the honest truth about the Dragon Fruit. Researchers are not the end consumers/ producers and
Now that DRC is part of EAC, I’d be interested in a business road trip to Kinshasa. Main interest is in large scale farming of Cassava, Groundnuts, Cocoa & Plantains. Any tour company here who can plan this Agri-trip for us?
Honered to have been selected by Al Jazeera to be their Correspondent to cover an episode for the show Earthrise 🙏
Despite having gone 'off air' 7 years ago, & swore I'm not doing any more TV reporting, here we are - If God is not done with you, hakuna place utaenda 😆
By the grace of the Almighty God, I've landed safely in Dallas, Texas. 🙏
My presence here is a testimony that God will perfect whatever concerns you, no matter the inordinate delay you're going through.
Ladies, if you've saved my number as Caleb Honey, please edit it As-Ali as possible 🙊 - Sitaki your boyfriend akitoka Wax alete shida. Stick to Karuga wa Kuku for now 😁
#BeeAsharaTamu
I used to sleep on the ‘first floor’ of my grandma’s traditional granary (Ikùmbí), her 5 or so chicken slept on the ground floor. Obviously a few jiggers made my feet their home. With a face only a mother can love, you don’t wish you met me earlier 😂
Trust the process.
Visited a farmer in São Paulo, Brazil to learn about his operations. He has 300 cows & a 400 acre Coffee farm (I’ll show you the farm later)
With the above numbers, he considers himself a small scale farmer 😳
Anyway, he gets an average of 30L per cow, hasn’t gone into value
After TEN years of farming without taking a break, fatigue kicked in. The sight of Chicken, Goats & vegetables wasn’t exciting anymore.
I was on autopilot mode. Began crashing on the inside!
If you can, take a holiday. Your mental health is better than a fat bank account…
I’d rather wake up to this, every day of my life, than live in Nairobi’s quintessential ‘Gated Communities’ where I’m a dormant member of the estate’s Wozap group that I was forced to join, in order to deliberate on garbage & security matters. 😂
#ReclusiveLivesMatter
So...My mouth drooled when I got inside this 18,000 capacity poultry house in Meru County.
Layers are fed automatically by a conveyor belt system, including egg collection. This young farmer is my farming goals - the true definition of Ukulima Sio Ushamba!
#IntrepidFarmer
Are you doubting if your business idea will work? Look at this photos: We’re delivering Goat Milk to strangers who’ve now become repeat clients! - If you told me that I’d be overwhelmed by Goat milk orders, I’d have laughed at you. Take the first step, God gotchu 🙏🏿
#WeGOaTMilk
Birds probably sit on trees looking at pregnant women walk past them & think “she knows she doesn’t have to carry the egg everywhere she goes, right?” 😂
I operate an ecosystem consisting of Goats, Chicken, Catfish, Ducks, Bees & Horticulture. The symbiotic relationship works perfectly since I farm 💯 organically - every animal, plant, insect & both micro & macro organism benefit from the other.
#UkulimaSioUshamba
Nothing Fishy here, just a rare photo of
@osumo_brad
smiling after seeing a flower pattern on a Cappuccino mug 😁.
Today I’m pleased to announce a partnership between
@thebigfishke
& my company
@Coffee_254
.
Indulge in a variety of Coffees like Americano, Lattes, Mocha,
Whoever controls the ‘SEED’ controls the food systems. In my opinion, I don’t think it stops at collecting a few coins in license fees. Nooo, apana! They want to control which semen can be imported in the country. The fodder seeds (Lucerne/ Alfafa, Canola, Boma Rhodes, Soya et
Did you know the plant in the first frame is not Spinach? Yap! It’s not. It’s called Swiss Chard, but Wakenya ni nani, we call it Spinach! 😂
Spinach is the one in the second frame.
Botanically & scientifically, the two plants are totally different species.
1/2
You’re struggling financially because you’ve a conscience. Katt Williams said, “I’ve had to turn down $50m four times just to protect my integrity & that virgin hole.”
#MyTwoCents
Who else feels like all it will take for them to make it in life is one contract? Like one deal. One email. One phonecall. Just one hook-up and that's it; you and your entire clan mmeomoka. Before that day comes, keep working smart, networking, praying and never giving up hope.
Please read what’s on the board, then come for some Cappuccino, Latte Macchiato, Tea, Dawa or just to update your phone or laptop software using our fast & free Wi-Fi 🤗
#LoveAtFirstSip
I’m honored & excited to announce that I’m the Brand Ambassador for
@DavisShirtliff
The Dayliff Drip Irrigation Kits are the latest addition to the D&S range of Irrigation solutions that farmers have been waiting for. Walk with me on this exciting journey because
#DripIsLife
Did I ever tell you how back in the day we were told Rabbit urine was in high demand? Ati 1L inanunuliwa at 1,000 shillings by a fertilizer factory uko China. Wacha tulee hutwo tuvitu & tap urine, titration scenes at the farm zilikua kama za Breaking Bad! 😂
To cut cost of production, I chop these Sukumawiki, let them wither a bit (to avoid diarrhea in chicken). After that I scoop handfuls of Azolla from this pond, let it dry for two hours then mix with commercial feeds - The Chicken & Goats LOVE it!
#UkulimaSioUshamba
This day a year ago I dared to do something I had been postponing for years - largely due to finances & self doubt. I posted about the launch of
@Coffee_254
together with my birthday, hoping people would focus on the birthday message & not the launch - I was freaking out that
Client paid for farm consultation 2 months ago, including transport. She postponed due to personal reasons, na mimi nikakula gashoma pale Kamakis na hio pesa.
She has just called to ask if we’re still on for 2pm today. I almost asked her “who is this!” on phone.
Heading to
The part “Simu zitatuambia” sold him out! No Mwananchi wa kawaida speaks like that, that’s Cop’s lingua franca. Any way, what do I know besides milking Goats & planting Managu 🤷🏾
If KFC is not buying Kenyan-grown potatoes because no farmer can supply large quantities of pre-cut, blanched frozen potatoes, perhaps it’s time Potato growing zones dig in & revive cooperatives that can fill the gap. Egypt is 96% DESERT yet
@kfc
IMPORTS from them!
Let me interrupt your scrolling just to tell you;
You WILL build your Mama a house, Mzee anunuliwe ile Ford Ranger double cab, hold your baby in your hands & fulfill all your heart’s desires 🙏🏿
Shout out to everyone who's running an honest hustle to put food on the table. The temptation to con & bribe your way to riches is too much to resist...
May God bless the work of your hands, your granaries will always have more than enough. 🙏🏾
Following my earlier tweet nikiendesha Tractor, I feel I should do some justice to the tweet by explaining how I started farming in Kilifi County, only to be chased away from the farm like a Dog. A THREAD.
David Ndii has said, & I quote; "Politics has to be paid for. People don’t run for office & win government just to make sacrifices."
This statement is very loaded, someone break it down to me in football terms 😳
If you’re thinking of a side hustle in Agriculture during
#COVID19KE
period, I’d suggest starting with short-term crops like Spinach, Kale & traditional veggies. Cows, Goats, Pigs et al are labor, time & capital intensive. Go through a learning curve first...
#UkulimaSioUshamba
The biggest character development I’ve gotten in farming is the Quail pyramid scheme!
Back in 2012 these tu-bird’s eggs were being hyped by Kenyan farmers as an aphrodisiac & cure for all diseases known to mankind. We thought we would speak fluent MANDIngo, but look at us now 😂
God never gives you a dream that matches your budget! It’s your faith in Him He’s checking.
Three months ago I started Dairy Goat farming without a clue how the business, amidst the Covid 19 Pandemic, would grow - but who is like our God? Trust God with your hustle
#WeGOaTMilk
If only you were an elected SENATOR who could lobby Parliament and the Senate to pass a bill to lower taxes. This could go a long way in cushioning Wananchi in these hard economic times. But SENATOR, your hands are tied, just like mine, a mere FARMER. Sanitize. Wear a mask.
Someone asked me where my offices are located. This is my Banana branch, Nairobi, Kenya...😂
Don't incur office expenses to impress people - live within your means.
#UkulimaSioUshamba
Mliongezea space Gikambura? Last time I was there Kulikuwa very small. Unakula ukiomba mtu asiingie coz utafeel rushed. But the food and the coffee was good. And the service very nice. Shida ni space
I’ve never used this word on social media but allow me today: What the FUCK is wrong with this government? 😳
I’m dropping the hoe (farm tool) and joining everyone today as we
#RejectFinanceBill2024
and demand for the unconditional release of
#FreeShad
#FreeDreyMwangi
The casual manner in which government treats Agriculture (removing it from the syllabus...) leaves one to conclude that someone wants to benefit from the chaos they're creating. That's why
#FarmersUnderSiege
is not just a hash tag, it's an SOS call!
Take your daughter out on dates & vacations if you can, so that when she grows up, she won’t be easily impressed by being made a passenger princess in an 8 year old Ex Japan car, and a 10 minute flight to Mucatha. Protect, provide & validate them.
But hii yote nime-guess tu
I don’t know if we’re ready to have an honest conversation on ETHICAL farming, or in NGO-Speak, Global GAP (Good Agricultural Practices). When farmers spray Glyphosate so that Onions dry faster by 2 weeks, despite it being carcinogenic, then expect to compete globally!
UPDATE - 17HRS later after Wax application, niko NaNYUKI! 🙏
I've never experienced a Bee migration like I've today - a colony came around 12pm, perched on this Avocado tree for like an hour. After a few minutes, they divided themselves into groups then went into 5/6 hives!!
I’m so proud of my elder brother
@joshkariuki
for launching
@KileleCoffee
- Nyeri’s first locally grown, brewed to barista-quality Coffees like Cappuccino, Latte, Mocha & Americano.
Pass by Betty’s Place for a cuppa.
#KahawaYetu
I operate an ecosystem consisting of Goats, Chicken, Catfish, Ducks, Bees & Horticulture. The symbiotic relationship works perfectly since I farm 💯 organically - every animal, plant, insect & both micro & macro organism benefit from the other.
#UkulimaSioUshamba
When 72 of us were declared REDUNDANT by
@K24Tv
back in 2013, the world seemed to have come to an end - 7 yrs later, everyone who was laid off is doing better than before.
@eriknjoka
@Karimi_Karen
@MercyMilanoi
@KWALANDA
et al, you shall all rise like a Phoenix from the ashes!
If you’re planning on leasing land for Agricultural purposes, please, and I can’t over emphasize this enough; get a LEGALLY binding lease agreement!
Eating kanyama na Wazee is NOT recognized by our Judiciary as a form of contract.
Secondly, DO NOT employ sons or daughters of
Fellow farmers, you don't owe anyone food; you owe yourself an income! Treat Agriculture as a business. You're not operating a charitable organization where you feed your friends & relatives for free - unless that's what you want...
#UkulimaSioUshamba
If you've access to idle land & have some savings, I'd suggest you plant some traditional African Vegetables like Managu (Black Night Shade), Terere (Amaranth), Saget (Spider Plant) et al.
Covid-19 has disrupted every sector of the economy, but people must eat.
Farmers: Don't, I repeat, DON'T be moved by anyone saying they need 5,000kgs of a perishable product PER DAY without a financial commitment on their end. Big talk, name-dropping & promise of paying in cash should be your cue to walk away. My two cents
#UkulimaSioUshamba
Watch the film ‘Hotel Rwanda’ or ‘Sometimes in April’ about the Rwanda Genocide & you’ll not entertain callous statements like Madoadoa. Some people still get nightmares when they remember what befell them in 2007/08. You don’t want to flirt with politicians with verbal diarrhea!
How to start a new business:
1. Find a market NEED
2. Find customers
3. Create the product
Most people start at No 3. They build the product, then look for customers, and try to meet their needs. This, and many other factors, are the reason why most businesses don’t celebrate
Thinking of getting into farming & you’ve no land or enough capital?What are the pros & cons of leasing or buying land? Here’s
#MyTwoCents
, Part One.
#DripIsLife
@DavisShirtliff
Honored to be moderating the All-Africa Summit
#PowerOnYourPlate
conference in Arusha, Tanzania. We’re discussing diversifying food systems with the Traditional African Vegetables. Thanks to
@go_vegetables
USAID, Rutgers, CABI and other partners.
Shooting my shot:
This year I’d like to work with either Unga Feeds, Pembe Feeds or
@BidcoGroup
as their brand ambassador. 🙏🏿
As a farmer who has been using their products for the last 9+ years, I believe it’s time! Also, I’ll need someone at an agency to make this happen...🙏🏿
I hope that one day, paying rent & school fees won’t be our only life’s major achievements. There’s gotta be more to life than paying bills & then we die. 🥹
May God graciously hear this prayer 🙏🏿
If you teach a man to farm, his family will eat. If you teach a woman to farm, the community will eat. Always a pleasure to meet my friend & fellow farmer
@charlruto
who’s doing some amazing work in the Apiculture sector.
Shoutout to everyone earning an honest living in these tough economic times. It’s tempting to envy your age mates living a better life than you through corrupt means. God willing utaomoka pia one day, for now hang in there 🙏🏿
A 72 year old client came to the farm today to learn about Goat farming. Fam, I’ve never been humbled like I did training a grandpa. 🙏🏿 Taught him how to use social media like Twitter to market his Goat Milk, akaniuliza ���Twitter níndù?” Amewasalimia sana by the way 😁
We’ve arrived safely with my Chicks in Kisii County, Marani District, Nyankanda Village - All 415 Month Old Kuroiler chicks arrived safely, Imela Papa 🙏🏿
My client is delighted to receive his Chicks.
#UkulimaSioUshamba
Step into my office -The Avocado Branch, Kiambu County. 😁
Never despise your hustle, no matter how small or less glamorous it may look.
#UkulimaSioUshamba
42 days later, we go to market! Imela Papa 🙏🏾. We were so overwhelmed by the orders, especially for Managu & Terere. Take note: Always do a market research first. Traditional veggies move like hot cake! Stick to the mass market first if you're a beginner...
#UkulimaSioUshamba
We have greatly exaggerated the risk of sinking instead of celebrating the value of swimming! Don't be afraid of risking it in business because statistics say you might 'fail' - what if you start with learning how to 'swim' from a pro? 🤔
#UkulimaSioUshamba
Lunch at the farm today consists of; sautéed White Corn, rare Wairimù Beans, garnished with Shangi Rift Valley Potatoes & topped with organic, Sun-ripened Nyoro ripe Banana. The chef added a hint of Coriander blended with Spring Onions - Haters will call it Gítheri 🙄