Kenya’s Jenniffer Wairimu Waruingi, popularly known as Waridi, is emerging as a formidable voice in Africa’s food security and youth empowerment efforts.
The President of the Kenya Youth Organization (KYO) and Founder of the Waridi Foundation recently addressed a high-level African Union (AU) forum in Cairo, Egypt, where she called for deeper youth and women inclusion in agriculture and food systems across the continent.
Waridi was among the keynote speakers at the forum, which focused on the implementation of the CAADP Kampala Strategy, Africa’s roadmap to achieving food security by 2035.
With all AU member states and Egypt’s Ministry of Agriculture in attendance, Waridi urged governments to move beyond tokenistic engagement of young people and instead embrace them as central players in policy design and implementation.“Africa cannot achieve food sovereignty if youth and women remain sidelined,” she said. “We are vital actors, not just participants and must be fully integrated into decision-making and implementation processes.”
Drawing from her experience leading KYO and the Waridi Foundation, Waridi highlighted the transformative role youth can play in agribusiness and innovation when given adequate support.
She also spotlighted her Africa Development Tour initiative, which unites young changemakers across borders to champion sustainable agriculture, eco-tourism, and self-reliance.
Waridi, who also leads Kwetu Inn Africa, a brand focused on promoting Africa’s cultural richness and development potential, praised Egypt’s strides in agricultural innovation, particularly its strategic investments in irrigation and research despite desert conditions.
She challenged Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture, led by CS Mutahi Kagwe, to replicate such bold initiatives and ensure youth-led organizations like KYO are brought to the forefront.“We must go beyond boardroom policies and activate change on the ground. Youth are not just the future, they are the farmers, innovators, and solution architects of today,” she said.
A daughter of Lamu’s respected farmer Michael Waruingi, Waridi’s leadership blends grassroots experience with continental ambition.
