StunnerBiz Mashinani 2025 unfolded at Othaya Teachers’ College, Nyeri County, on 26th–27th September, bringing together quality audience of participants and stakeholders. With the theme “Shaping Youth’s Mindset Through Agribusiness”, the forum built on the success of previous StunnerBiz editions but took a deliberate turn to the grassroots, placing young agripreneurs at the centre of the conversation.
The gathering came at a time when agriculture remains Kenya’s socio-economic backbone yet continues to suffer from the negative perception of being outdated and unrewarding among the youth. Against this backdrop, StunnerBiz Mashinani provided a platform where the country’s most promising rural and peri-urban innovators showcased their ventures, networked with industry leaders, and accessed knowledge and resources to scale.
The two-day event went beyond speeches to offer meaningful dialogue and practical sessions. Key topics such as access to finance, climate-smart farming, and unlocking agricultural value chains were tackled in an engaging and professional way, ensuring participants left with both inspiration and actionable insights.
The audience itself was proof of impact, youth-led cooperatives, agritech innovators, farmers groups, investors, policymakers, and development partners all converged to reimagine agribusiness not as a fallback option, but as a pathway to innovation, resilience, and wealth creation.
KEYNOTE ADDRESSES
Educating the boy child: expanding financial Literacy
The first keynote speech of the day came from Mr. Albert Wambugu CEO Hand in Hand Eastern Africa. Right from the start, it was clear why StunnerBiz Events had placed him at the front of the programme. He delivered not just a speech, but a spark that set the tone for the rest of the event. Speaking on the theme “Building Resilience of Young Agripreneurs in Rural Areas – A Case Study of Hand in Hand Eastern Africa,” he walked the audience through the story of his organization and its work with self-help groups across the country. With a blend of data, real life experiences, and practical wisdom, Wambugu reminded everyone that resilience in agribusiness is not accidental; it is built deliberately through education, access to resources, and collective effort.
He explained that 80% of Hand in Hand Eastern Africa’s members are women, but used this point to underline a crucial gap, the boychild must not be left behind. According to him, financial literacy and agribusiness knowledge need to reach young men with the same urgency as women, because empowering both genders is the only way to ensure long-term sustainability of rural enterprises. Tying this message to the Sustainable Development Goals on poverty reduction, hunger eradication, and gender equality, he highlighted that agripreneurship is one of the strongest vehicles to achieve lasting change in rural communities.
But perhaps the moment that captured the audience most came when he turned his gaze towards the financial sector. With conviction in his voice, Wambugu declared: “I want to talk to microfinance institutions, you need to know that, in the right circumstances, people in self-help groups can diminish risk; in fact, they can de-risk your entire organization.” This statement hit home for many in the room, especially as it challenged long-held misconception that rural entrepreneurs are “high risk.” Instead, he reframed self-help groups as anchors of trust, accountability, and collective security; essential partners in the fight to build sustainable businesses.
As he concluded, it was evident that Wambugu had struck a chord. Delegates nodded, young agripreneurs cheered, and the atmosphere in the room shifted from listening to envisioning. His address was more of a rallying call for young people to view agribusiness as a dignified, scalable, and resilient career path, and for financial institutions to view rural communities not as liabilities, but as opportunities to unlock shared prosperity.
The untapped power of the Youth
If Wambugu lit the spark with his powerful call on resilience and collective empowerment, Mr. Rueben Mwaura, the CEO of VisionFund Kenya, fanned that flame with a message that dug deep into the psychology of transformation. Taking the stage as the second keynote speaker, Mwaura delivered a profound reflection on the role of mindset in driving socio-economic change, especially in rural communities. His talk: “How shift of mindset enhances socio-economic transformation in rural communities,”reminded the audience that development is not just about access to money or markets, it begins with how people think, view themselves, and act on opportunities.
He framed the journey of transformation as one that starts with “the mind, the heart, and the pockets.” While money is undeniably a resource, Mwaura emphasized that the greatest asset young people possess is their minds. “Our physical strength as youth should be channeled somewhere,” he said, urging agripreneurs to use their energy not only to farm but to innovate and build businesses that outlive them. His words resonated strongly with the young audience, many of whom nodded as he spoke about the importance of shifting focus from short-term gains to long-term value.
One of Mwaura’s sharpest observations was on the gap between production and processing. “We grow, but we don’t process,” he remarked, highlighting how rural farmers often work tirelessly only for others to reap the larger profits. He argued that mastering the art of value addition is the surest way for agripreneurs to capture more of the wealth they create. At its core, this was not just a call to build agro-processing businesses, but a rallying cry to reimagine farming as a full value chain, as opposed to a subsistence activity.
Equally powerful was his reminder that attitudes can shut the doors of possibility. Knowledge, he said, is power, but only when coupled with the right mindset. If young people view themselves as too small, too poor, or too disadvantaged, they will never step into the opportunities waiting for them. But if they embrace boldness, innovation, and collaboration, they can transform not just their own lives, but their entire communities.
By the time Mwaura stepped off the stage, it was clear his message had landed. He had challenged the youth to think beyond the boundaries of their farms and to view their brains as the ultimate tool for transformation. More than a speech, it was a charge to young agripreneurs: that the future of rural transformation lies not in external aid or handouts, but in the power of their own mindset to turn effort into enterprise, and enterprise into enduring socio-economic change.
FINANCING THE FUTURE: A PANEL OF POWERHOUSES
The panel discussion at StunnerBiz Mashinani day 2 underscored a vital message to young agripreneurs: financial literacy is the cornerstone of building sustainable enterprises. Moderated with skill and insight by Cynthia Achieng of Biashara Leo magazine, the session brought together some of the most influential voices shaping Kenya’s financial landscape. Caroline Karanja, CEO of AMFI-K, reminded participants that access to finance is not enough; understanding how to manage it, investing wisely, and building credit worthiness is what creates resilience. Mr. Silas Wanjuki, agency manager, CIC Insurance Group, Nyeri branch, highlighted the importance of risk management, urging agripreneurs to insure not just their farms but also their future, protecting themselves from unforeseen shocks. Mr. Thomas Njoroge, regional manager–Mt. Kenya, Juhudi Kilimo, added a pragmatic perspective, emphasizing that loans are not chains but stepping stone. If utilized strategically, loans can transform the efforts of smallholder agripreneurs into scalable and solid enterprises.
Together, the powerhouse panel reframed innovative finance as more than just the flow of money; it is about cultivating confidence, resilience, and long-term opportunities for rural agripreneurs. Their message was clear: with the right mindset and tools, young agripreneurs can unlock the capital they need while securing the stability to weather challenges. The session left the audience energized, their perception of loans and other financial solutions transformed; from hurdles to enablers of growth.
Seeds of Greatness: Nurturing Women and Youth
One of the most memorable moments of the day two StunnerBiz Mashinani conference and expo came from the keynote speech delivered by BIMAS microfinance CEO, Dr. Patrick Gathondu. Speaking with conviction, the message resonated deeply with the audience: “Every young person and every woman carries within them the seed of greatness. Our commitment is to nurture that seed with the right resources, knowledge, and support so it can flourish.” This powerful declaration not only captured the essence of the event, but also reaffirmed the theme, “Shaping Youth’s Mindset through Agribusiness.”
The statement drew applause because it spoke directly to the heart of the audience; a call to view agribusiness not merely as survival, but as a pathway to dignity, wealth creation, and generational change. By framing success as a harvest of collective effort, the speech connected deeply with young agripreneurs in the room, reminding them that their potential is not limited by background or resources, but by mindset and courage. It was a rallying call to dream big, act boldly, and transform agriculture into a legacy that would shape Kenya’s future.
Corporate Exhibitors Powering StunnerBiz Mashinani
StunnerBiz Mashinani 2025 was a meeting point for some of the most influential players in Kenya’s agribusiness landscape. The corporate exhibitors who came on board underscored the power of partnerships in shaping opportunities for young agripreneurs.
Insurance giant CIC Group reminded participants that agribusiness is not just about production but also about protection, showcasing micro insurance solutions tailored for farmers. On the other hand, Osho Chemicals and FMC showcased the latest solutions in crop science, soil health, and protection technologies; tools critical for building resilient food systems.
The financial sector was well represented, with I&M Bank, Mentor Sacco, Jamii Sacco, Tower Sacco , Biashara Sacco, Hand in Hand Eastern Africa Juhudi Kilimo, VisionFund Kenya, BIMAS Kenya, and ECLOF Kenya, all present, each sharing how their unique financial solutions continue to bridge the credit gap for farmers and SMEs. Their presence reinforced the event’s theme of driving youth empowerment through accessible and innovative financing.
Technology and sustainability were another highlight. Davis & Shirtliff drew attention with their solar and irrigation solutions. Grekkon Limited joined the sustainability conversation with its irrigation technology, proving how smart farming tools can maximize yields. Maryland Technologies, meanwhile, represented the digital front, emphasizing how tech continues to redefine agribusiness operations.
Education and training also had their seat at the table. Mount Kenya University, The Nyeri National Polytechnic, and Mathenge Technical Training Institute highlighted how technical and academic institutions are equipping the next generation of agripreneurs with skills, research, and innovation.
Local agribusiness champion Kensam Millers and visiting Ngeli Foods reminded delegates that value addition, innovation, and niche products like honey remain cornerstones of rural enterprise growth.
Together, these exhibitors painted a clear picture: agribusiness success does not rely on one sector alone but on the collective effort of finance, technology, education, cooperatives, and innovation working in harmony. Their contribution to StunnerBiz Mashinani was not just about exhibiting products, but about inspiring the youth to see farming as a viable, scalable, and sustainable business.
The road ahead: Planting the Future Today
StunnerBiz Mashinani 2025 was a spark of transformation. From powerful keynote speeches to engaging panel discussions and the presence of corporate giants, the two-day gathering in Othaya proved that the future of Kenya’s agribusiness is already unfolding in the hands of its youth. What emerged was not simply conversation, but a new conviction that resilience, mindset, and collaboration are the real engines of rural prosperity.
As the curtains fell on the event, one message echoed clearly: agribusiness is no longer the job of last resort, it is the business of the future. By uniting policy, finance, innovation, education, and community, StunnerBiz Mashinani has laid a foundation for a generation that dares to dream, innovate, and lead from the grassroots. The seeds planted in Othaya are only the beginning; and with the collective energy witnessed, the harvest promises to be nothing short of extraordinary.
