At the end of the year 2022, a pivotal moment unfolded for social entrepreneur Alfred Gitonga. After 23 years dedicated to managing Snowline Foods from a road side food kiosk to a premier aggregator and the Black Jungle Resorts and Lounge, he heard a divine call, prompting him to step away from his busy life. The call was unmistakable, a familiar voice urging him toward a new path. Over three months of searching and reflection, in March 2023, a mission was revealed to him through the words of Matthew 5:13-19: “You are the light and the salt of the earth.” The message was profound: he was called to enrich the lives of others, addressing poverty at its roots, for true wealth cannot thrive in a community bound by hardship. This divine revelation marked the birth of the Igati Mission.

“Igati” in the Kimeru language means “raw salt,” a substance that requires refining to realize its full value—a fitting symbol for the mission’s transformative journey. Yet the questions came quickly: How would the mission work? Who would fund it? Could people accept the message, especially considering his past association with managing a strip club and his limited knowledge of the Bible? Still, an inner assurance answered each concern, reminding Alfred that he had been guided since birth and blessed with a creative and innovative spirit to face the task ahead—if only he was willing to embrace it. With a soft but clear response, he committed: “I am ready.”

By June 2023, Alfred had reached out to influential figures he respected, from church elders to revered Njuri Ncheke community leaders, as well as family and friends, explaining his newfound purpose. While some were puzzled, many offered encouragement. The inner voice continued to guide him, and before his mission work began in Nkomo Ward, Tigania West Constituency of Meru County, he received a profound gift: salvation. Alfred accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior and teacher, and this decision changed everything. Guided by Christ, he now understood the mission fully.

The Igati Mission quickly grew into a movement of social entrepreneurship anchored in the principles of faith, community empowerment, and sustainable development. Through this mission, Alfred and his team have embedded their dream within Igati Creative and Innovators NGO to operate within the legal framework and bring lasting change. Today, the Igati Mission has become a beacon of hope, tackling poverty head-on through community-centered programs that uplift and transform lives. Alfred believes that every effort, every project, and every act brings glory and honor to God.

Alfred Gitonga, Founding Missionary
Igati Mission