By Kimuri Mwangi
The Ministry of Agriculture has recognized and celebrated two young Kenyan innovators who will represent the country at the World Food Prize Global Youth Institute in the United States from October 21–23, 2025.
Blessed Kyalo, 15, a Grade 9 student from AIC Tangu Junior Secondary School in Makueni, and Jael Achieng’, 18, a Form 2 student from Loresho Secondary School in Nairobi, emerged as the national winners after a competitive selection process conducted by the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO).
Kyalo will present on “Enhancing food security through water harvesting and cover crops” while Achieng’ will showcase her work on “Combating malnutrition in Bosnia and Herzegovina.”
Speaking during the ceremony, Principal Secretary for Agriculture, Dr. Paul Ronoh, congratulated the students for their achievement.
“First of all, I want to congratulate you on being the national winners in the World Food Prize competition, an achievement that is rare and not easily attained. Your creativity, innovation, and resilience have set you apart. I also thank the teachers, parents, and the team from KALRO for guiding and supporting these young minds throughout this journey,” said Dr. Ronoh.
He stressed the government’s focus on nurturing youth talent in agriculture through initiatives such as the reintroduction of 4K Clubs and the integration of agricultural innovation in the Competency-Based Curriculum. “We believe in equipping young people with knowledge and practical skills in agriculture from an early stage. By exposing students to opportunities such as the World Food Prize, we are building a generation that will lead in food and nutrition security. These two young innovators are proof that Kenya’s youth can compete and win on the global stage,” he added.
Dr. Ronoh further assured the students of government support as they prepare for the global competition.
“We are ready to support you, and we believe you will emerge as champions. Kenya has consistently led in such competitions, and I have no doubt you will carry that tradition forward. Kenya, being one of the countries that normally participates in this programme, we are happy as a country and as a ministry to give these two creative minds blessings to go and compete with the rest of the world in this competition on food and food security,” he said.
KALRO biotechnologist Dr. Kenneth Monjero underscored the importance of including young people in global food security initiatives.
“The World Food Prize is a globally renowned institution that is looking at those who are of great impact in regard to addressing matters of food security, and we are happy that we have had a courtesy call to the PS, to share the amazing innovations that have come from high schools. So the programme is run under KALRO and of course KALRO looks at research on matters of food security and matters of climate change and such but now we’re not leaving young people behind because for a sustainable future we need young people to come on board and be part and parcel of addressing matters of food security,” said Dr. Monjero.
The Ministry reaffirmed its confidence that the two students will make Kenya and Africa proud as they join young leaders from across the world to present solutions on food security, agricultural technology, and sustainable development.
