As Eldoret City expands, young green entrepreneurs are proving that urban spaces can do more than host buildings and traffic.
By transforming a neglected railway reserve into a commercial nursery and flower farm, they are tackling food security myths, creating youth jobs, and supporting the county’s climate and beautification goals, all from land once considered idle.
The green expanse, located just off the railway line, now hosts neatly arranged rows of fruit seedlings, ornamental flowers, and bougainvillaea.
The site, cleared in January this year, stands in stark contrast to its previous state of overgrown bushes and accumulated litter.
Edwin Kemboi, one of the lead operators at the nursery, says the initiative began over five years ago in Turbo before expanding to Eldoret in early 2023.
“When we came here in January, this whole land was covered in wild bushes and litter,” Kemboi told KNA during an interview. “We engaged stakeholders, including Kenya Railways, and secured permission to rehabilitate the area. Our goal was to make it beautiful, keep the environment clean, and give the town a fresh look.”
The nursery now serves both residential and commercial clients, supplying high-value fruit seedlings such as grafted mangoes, avocados, oranges, and apples, alongside ornamental flowers for landscaping.
Beyond aesthetics, the venture is tackling food security. In a region where farmers long believed temperate fruits like apples could not thrive, the team is using demonstration plots to change perceptions.
“A lot of people come here believing that apples cannot grow in this area,” Kemboi said. “But we use the exact soil from this region to nourish our potted seedlings. We take customers through soil preparation and planting techniques, to prove these fruits can thrive anywhere with proper care,” he added.
Operating in an urban environment presents operational challenges. Prolonged dry spells and erratic rainfall patterns have increased pressure on water resources.
To mitigate this, the nursery has adopted water conservation measures, including safely capturing and utilising municipal drainage water channelled by the county government to irrigate plants without straining domestic water supplies.
Security along the public right-of-way remains another concern. The operators have, with official clearance, hired private security personnel to guard the facility against vandalism and theft.
Market access has expanded through a combination of walk-in sales and digital marketing. The team leverages platforms such as TikTok and Facebook to showcase products and attract clients from across the North Rift region.
Demand for landscaping services is growing as institutions, businesses, and homeowners invest in greening their spaces. The nursery has consequently created direct employment opportunities for youth involved in propagation, maintenance, and sales.
As Eldoret undergoes rapid urbanisation, the entrepreneurs say structured support from government and stakeholders is critical to sustain and scale up such initiatives.
Key proposals presented to county authorities include allocation of designated public spaces for registered nurseries, provision of affordable water tariffs for agricultural use, and formal partnerships in county greening and beautification programs.
“Urban greening can create jobs and improve our environment,” Edwin noted. “With policy support, we can supply seedlings and flowers for public parks, roads, and institutions while transforming livelihoods.
County officials and environmental stakeholders note that initiatives like this demonstrate how private enterprise can complement public efforts on climate action and city beautification.
For the young operators along the Eldoret railway line, the project represents more than horticulture. It is a model of resilience, innovation, and the potential of urban agriculture to deliver both environmental and economic benefits.
As Eldoret positions itself as a growing city, the rehabilitation of idle public spaces into productive green zones may offer a template for sustainable urban development.
By Becklyne Cherono and Nelson Obwana
