Founder’s Story
Meet Mr. Alfred Gitonga
Founder & Lead Missioner, Igati Mission
Founder’s Story
Our Founder's Story Begins
🌍 His Calling & Foundation
Alfred Gitonga is more than a founder, he is a living testimony of the Igati mantra: Research with Purpose, Innovate with Courage, Commercialize with Wisdom, and Impact with Compassion. Raised in the hills of Meru County, Alfred witnessed firsthand the struggles of rural farmers, youth, and families trapped in cycles of poverty and limited opportunity. Rather than waiting for outside interventions, he responded with faith, creativity, and sacrifice, planting the seeds that would grow into the Igati Mission Ecosystem.
Guided by Matthew 5:13–19, Alfred believes the Igati community is called to be the salt and light of the earth, shining transformation through faith-driven enterprise. His mission has always been clear: to build a movement of social entrepreneurs across Africa, starting from Meru and scaling to counties across Kenya and beyond.
💡 His Vision in Action
Alfred’s journey of enterprise began early. After high school, he opened a small grocery kiosk in Kwa Makara. At Moi University, he scaled campus-based ventures, eventually running multiple mobile accessories stores and a sales van. This entrepreneurial spirit set the foundation for larger ventures.
In the early 2000s, Alfred ventured into agribusiness with Snowline Enterprises, which grew into a major economic engine in Timau. By 2013, the construction of Snowline facilities had begun, expanding into poultry, hatcheries, hospitality, and branded consumer products. From Snowline Farms’ eggs to Snowline Hatcheries’ chicks, Alfred consistently focused on building enterprises that empowered farmers. He later launched The Black Jungle, an Afrocentric brand celebrating African identity through food, fashion, and storytelling.
These experiences laid the groundwork for the Igati Creative & Innovators NGO, where his vision shifted from building businesses alone to building an ecosystem for community transformation. Under his leadership:
- 🐝 The One Million Beehives Project mobilizes farmers into cooperatives, boosting incomes and pollination.
- 🌾 The Igati Agribusiness Clusters turn cassava, sorghum, and millet into branded products sold in retail outlets.
- 🎓 The Igati Social-Economic Innovation Lab with Meru University mentors students into innovators and change-makers.
- 🏷️ The Igati Community Brand gives grassroots groups credibility and access to formal markets.
- ✝️ Faith is integrated with enterprise, shaping not just wealth but dignity, stewardship, and character.
- 📱 The Kimeru Digital Agriculture App preserves indigenous knowledge while connecting it to modern opportunities.
🌱 His Sacrifice & Leadership
Alfred’s leadership has always been anchored in personal sacrifice. He gave up land and resources to establish the Igati Creative & Innovation Centre, demonstrating that the mission is not just about words but about commitment. His ability to mobilize resources, forge partnerships, and mentor young people has positioned Igati as a scalable, sustainable model of transformation.
From Isiolo to Laikipia, Samburu to Nakuru, Alfred is expanding the Igati Ecosystem county by county. He embodies the principle that true leadership is not about titles but about service. For him, every cooperative formed, every farmer trained, and every product launched is another step toward generational impact.
✨ His Legacy & Mandate
Alfred’s story is inseparable from the story of Igati itself, a community rising through faith, innovation, and enterprise. His leadership is building institutions that will outlive individuals, empowering communities to own their transformation, and raising missionaries of social entrepreneurship across Kenya and Africa.
Today, Alfred continues to mentor youth, support startups, and design solutions that tackle poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and underdevelopment. His life reflects the belief that every great movement begins with one bold dreamer. For Igati, that dreamer is Mr. Alfred Gitonga, entrepreneur, farmer, visionary, and servant leader.
Alfred’s journey shows that ordinary beginnings can be transformed into extraordinary impact when guided by courage, faith, and innovation. Through Igati, he is not only changing lives today but planting seeds of transformation for generations to come.
The construction of Snowline facilities in Timau, the year is 2013
Marking a major milestone, the Snowline facilities laid the foundation for a thriving rural enterprise.
Snowline Bar and Restaurant in Meru Town
Alfred ventured into hospitality with Snowline Bar—a vibrant space blending culture, food, and community.
Well packed eggs from Snowline Farm
Snowline’s premium-quality eggs reflected its dedication to hygiene, consistency, and trust in agribusiness.
The Black Jungle
More than a brand, The Black Jungle became a movement for youth empowerment and cultural storytelling.
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