Samuel Muchoki Mbugua stands at the edge of his expansive farmland at Kilimani area on the outskirts of Mpeketoni Town, Lamu County.
Dressed comfortably for a day of field work in a grey T-shirt and blue jeans, the 50-year-old steps through the rows of his vibrant, flourishing crops, taking a moment to survey the fruits of his labour.
To one side, maize stalks rise tall and sturdy, their deep green leaves rustling gently in the coastal breeze, bearing heavy, well-formed ears that promise a bountiful yield.
On the other side, his vegetable patches thrive in neat, lush rows, vibrant and free of pests, showing every sign of meticulous care and perfect timing.
As Muchoki walks deeper into the field, inspecting the soil moisture and the strength of the stalks, a broad, unmistakable smile breaks across his face.
Every drop of sweat shed clearing the land, planting seeds, and tending the soil over the gruelling months has paid off.
Looking out over the green expanse, Muchoki knows this vibrant growth translates directly to good money this season, ensuring a prosperous harvest that will reward his hard work and secure his family’s future.
“Truly speaking, whenever I look at my farm today, I don’t just see rows of maize and vegetables but rather see a living, breathing ecosystem. Some years back, I relied heavily on chemical fertilisers and pesticides. I noticed that the soil on my farm was hardening, expenses were skyrocketing, and the land felt tired,” said Mr Muchoki.
In 2024, the father of four switched fully to organic farming.
Two years later, it has completely transformed his livelihood.
He grows a diverse and vibrant mix of crops: maize, tomatoes, amaranth (amaranth leaves), okra (lady’s fingers), sukumawiki, coriander (dhania), bell pepper and hot pepper in his well-partitioned three-acre farm.
Samuel Muchoki Mbugua inspects his vegetables including amaranth at his farm in Kilimani area of Mpeketoni, Lamu County on September 11,2026.
Photo credit: Kalume Kazungu | Nation Media Group
“I don’t apply any chemical fertilisers on my crops. I nourish the soil with compost, sometimes doing crop rotation and using natural pest controls. My family, customers and I eat healthier food. My farming business is truly sustainable,” says Mr Muchoki.
He affirms that organic farming is not just a method but rather a promise to protect land for the generations to come.
Mr Muchoki has specific days of the week or month when he moves around neighbourhoods just to collect livestock manure and natural compost directly from local pastoralists or livestock herders at a low price.
He uses his lorry to transport the material back to his farm, preparing it appropriately ready for organic farming.
“Sourcing raw manure and natural compost from the neighbouring pastoralists has proved to be an excellent, highly sustainable, and cost-effective strategy for my organic farming. It’s much cheaper than purchasing commercial organic fertilisers or bagged compost from agricultural stores,” said Mr Muchoki.
He reiterated that transitioning to organic farming completely changed his balance sheet, noting that since he relies on natural compost and pest controls, his production costs have always been incredibly low.
Main buyers for his green maize cobs, dry maize and the vegetables are Mpeketoni, Hindi and Lamu Island’s municipal market traders.
Every three days of the week Mr Muchoki harvests sukumawiki, amaranth leaves, bell pepper and hot pepper and supplies to municipal market traders across Lamu County.
“I have reliable customers in Mpeketoni, Hindi and Lamu Town. I also supply my produce to Witu town grocers and as far as Garsen,” said Mr Muchoki.
He acknowledges having successfully learned how to balance the different types of vegetables, noting that such efforts are proving to be highly rewarding.
“I can’t ignore the fact that it’s coming with unique management needs, but the truth remains that balancing a diverse mix of vegetables in organic farming is highly rewarding. It brings healthier soil and steadier harvests. While managing multiple crop schedules takes real effort, the resilient yield always makes every bit of extra planning completely worth it,” says Mr Muchoki.
Vegetables including amaranth at Samuel Muchoki Mbugua's farm at Kilimani area of Mpeketoni, Lamu County on September 11,2026.
Photo credit: Kalume Kazungu | Nation Media Group
Mr Muchoki has been farming on the three-acre piece of land all-year-round since he dug boreholes that have enabled him to carry out irrigation.
He has connected his farm with pipes directly from the three boreholes present aided by electric water pumps.
He acknowledges that farming backed by reliable borehole irrigation is highly sustainable and profitable.
He says borehole irrigation has helped him focus on smart farming practices by allowing him to practice crop rotation effectively and at the same time, maintain optimal soil health without waiting for rainy seasons.
“Borehole irrigation has freed me from depending on unpredictable seasonal rainfall for my farming venture. I am proud that irrigation farming has made me achieve great economic success. It has enabled me to secure a steady income and supply local markets even during the dry season. This has also increased my annual yield,” said Mr Muchoki.
Through income generated from farming, Mr Muchoki has educated all his four children, one of whom has already completed university.
“The three others are still in university, college and high school. Through farming, I pay fees for them,” he said.
Farming has not only transformed Muchoki’s household income but also created consistent employment opportunities for his neighbours.
“I’ve recruited two permanent employees working on my farm. There’s one whom I pay Sh12,000 per month while the other gets Sh10,000 per month. There are four to five other casual labourers who show up daily to work in my farm, and each earns Sh500 daily,” said Mr Muchoki.
Lucy Mugo, a grocer at the Mpeketoni Municipal Market and neighbour to Mr Muchoki, described him as a hardworking, dedicated and determined farmer.
She urged the government to ensure people like Mr Muchoki and others receive the much-needed support to enable them to farm to their full capacity.
Ms Mugo called on the government to stop focusing all its attention and resources on the Blue Economy as if it is the only thing feeding Lamu.
She stressed that farmers in Lamu have consistently achieved great yields on their farms with crops like maize, simsim, vegetables, mangoes, coconuts, cashews, cotton, sunflower and others, proving the county soil’s massive potential.
“Instead of leaving Lamu farmers behind, the government must step up and provide better agricultural incentives, input subsidies and direct market access so that land farmers can thrive alongside the fishing community,” said Ms Mugo.
Currently, the Kenyan government has rolled out massive investments under the State Department for Blue Economy, such as the multi-million Mokowe Modern Fish Landing Site.
Local farmers argue that this intense focus overshadows Lamu’s highly productive mainland agricultural zones like Mpeketoni, Hindi, Hongwe, Baharini, Majembeni and Witu.
Lamu County Climate Change Chief Officer Mohamed Dirie Rashid said Muchoki’s success in organic farming clearly demonstrates the potential of sustainable agriculture in our tropical climate.
It enhances soil carbon sequestration, reduces synthetic fertiliser use, and promotes ecosystem biodiversity. He says that with the growing global demand, organic maize and vegetable farming stands out as one of the smartest choices for farmers like him.
