There are moments in life when everything aligns—vision, opportunity, and the right people—creating a spark that ignites a movement. The signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Igati Creative and Innovators NGO and Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) is one such moment. It is not just a partnership; it is the beginning of a transformative journey, a powerful signal that social entrepreneurship is the future of economic empowerment in Meru County and beyond.
The Birth of a Movement
For years, the Igati Mission has been championing social entrepreneurship as a solution to the economic struggles facing our communities. The journey started with small steps—mobilizing farmers, training communities, and inspiring individuals to take charge of their own economic destinies.
Then came the One Million Bee Hive Project, a bold initiative to revolutionize beekeeping, agribusiness, and environmental conservation. The vision was clear: turning Meru into a hub of agricultural innovation and industrialization. But how do you sustain such a dream? How do you ensure that social entrepreneurship does not remain just an idea but becomes a way of life?
The answer lay in collaboration.
The Igati-MUST Partnership: A Turning Point
Meru University of Science and Technology is a powerhouse of knowledge, research, and innovation. Igati Creative and Innovators NGO is a movement of grassroots social entrepreneurs, driven by a mission to transform lives. Together, we have created a platform where:
Academia meets real-world entrepreneurship
Innovation is translated into action
The community takes ownership of economic transformation
This partnership is not about sitting in boardrooms—it is about being in the fields with farmers, in workshops with innovators, and in communities with people who are ready to change their own lives.
Sustaining the Momentum: The Work Ahead
A movement does not thrive on ideas alone—it needs commitment, action, and persistence. Now, more than ever, we must accelerate our work.
1. Turning Innovation into Impact
Through this partnership, we will:
Scale up beekeeping and agribusiness clusters to create jobs and food security
Develop value-added products like Igati/MUST-branded porridge flour and Ugali Afya
Launch industrial and innovation hubs where social entrepreneurs can thrive
2. Empowering the Next Generation
We must train and mentor young minds, showing them that entrepreneurship is not just about making money—it is about solving problems, creating value, and uplifting communities. MUST will serve as an incubation center where:
Students, faculty, and community members can work together to develop groundbreaking solutions
Social entrepreneurs can access research, funding opportunities, and business development support
3. Expanding the Movement Beyond Meru
What we are building is bigger than us. The Igati-MUST partnership is a blueprint that can be replicated across Kenya and Africa. By leveraging media, policy advocacy, and global networks, we will:
Showcase Meru County as a model of sustainable social entrepreneurship
Attract investors and development partners to scale our impact
Ensure that our work continues for generations to come
The Call to Action: Be Part of the Story
This is not just my story. It is our story. It is the story of every farmer, student, entrepreneur, and community leader who believes in a better future.
It is a story that must be told, lived, and shared.
The MOU has been signed. The foundation has been laid. The movement is alive. But now, the real work begins.
To every Igati missionary, entrepreneur, and supporter—let us keep pushing forward. Let us embrace every opportunity, break barriers, and build a legacy of impact.
Together, we are not just dreaming of a better Meru. We are creating it.
The writer is Alfred Gitonga, a missionary of social entrepreneurship and chairman of Igati Creative and Innovators NGO.
