A Journey of Creativity and Innovation
Looking back to 1997, as a young student at Ngenia Secondary School, I was always drawn to creativity, problem-solving, and innovation. I participated in science congress competitions, taking my projects from the school level to national exhibitions, where I won awards. Even then, I knew that innovation had the power to transform lives—but little did I know that this passion would one day evolve into a movement impacting thousands in Meru County and beyond.
Fast forward to June 2023, during a field mission in Nkomo Ward, Tigania West, I received blessings from the Njuri Ncheke Council of Elders. As I looked behind me, I saw the Meru University of Science and Technology (MUST) standing tall—a powerful reminder of the vision our forefathers had when they set aside over 6,000 acres of land for a future university in Meru. At that moment, I realized that this institution held immense potential to drive the social and economic transformation we were embarking on.
The Spark of a Movement
At the same time, MUST had just launched the Meru University Science, Innovation, and Exhibition Week (MUSTIEW). Instinctively, I knew this was the right platform to exhibit my social entrepreneurship ideas—solutions aimed at addressing food security, job creation, industrialization, and environmental sustainability.
By August 2023, our Bee Farming Cluster was in its early stages, and although our Langstroth bee hives were not yet fully standardized, the spirit of innovation was at its peak. One year later, in September 2024, we returned to MUSTIEW—not as individuals, but as a united Igati community, showcasing the One Million Bee Hive Project.
Our vision was simple: to inspire more people to join the movement. This caught the attention of the Directorate of Research, Innovation, Commercialization, and Community Extension at MUST. They saw the potential of our initiative and proposed a partnership to amplify its impact across Meru County and beyond.
The Birth of Igati-MUST: A Historic Partnership
Everything I had foreseen was now coming to life. Social entrepreneurship, though still a relatively new concept in Meru and Kenya, had found a strong foundation with Meru University. This partnership was an opportunity to merge academic knowledge with practical, impactful community solutions.
On January 21, 2025, this vision was formalized. A team of university dons and fraternity, led by Vice-Chancellor Prof. Romanus Odhiambo, joined hands with Igati Creative and Innovators NGO, represented by myself as chairman, alongside community leaders led by Mzee Joseph Mwongo. Together, we signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), marking the official birth of Igati-MUST—a symbol of hope and a bright future for entrepreneurs, farmers, and innovators across Meru County.
A Future of Transformation and Possibilities
This partnership is not just a collaboration—it is a movement to revolutionize social entrepreneurship, agribusiness, and industrialization in Kenya. It is proof that when communities, academic institutions, and innovators come together, real transformation happens.
From a science congress student in 1997 to leading a movement that brings together an entire university and grassroots community, this journey has been one of faith, resilience, and innovation. The best is yet to come.
The writer is Mr. Alfred Gitonga, a missionary of social entrepreneurship and chairman of Igati Creative and Innovators NGO.
