By KPC Correspondent
In Kibera and the expansive Taita Taveta, a quiet revolution is taking root, one conical garden at a time.
These vertical, space-saving plots are transforming the lives of vulnerable women, offering not just nourishment but dignity, resilience, and a renewed sense of purpose.
At the centre of this movement is the Women Education and Empowerment Programme (WEEP), a flagship initiative of HEART (Health Education Africa Resource Team), a Christian non-profit dedicated to uplifting women affected by or living with HIV/AIDS.
In about Kibera, 40 mothers enrolled in WEEP have already undergone training to establish their own kitchen gardens; compact, layered structures that thrive even in water-scarce environments.
For Gladness Mangondi, 77, in Taita Taveta, the impact is deeply personal.
“My vegetables are right at my doorstep,” she says, proudly tending to her black nightshade, her favourite crop.
Her garden is more than a source of food; it is a symbol of independence.
HEART is empowering communities by utilizing available space to grow food through various technologies including multistorey gardening,, alley cropping, mixed farming and conical gardening.
For WEEP many mothers conical gardening is one of the techniques that can enhance food security for their families.
According to Jared Abuga, HEART’s Economic Strengthening Officer and agronomist, conical gardens are tailor-made for urban and semi-arid settings.
“They require less space, less capital, and minimal inputs,” he explains.
“Weeding is easy, and they provide a steady supply of fresh vegetables daily.”
The gardens, which cost around Ksh.1,500 to set up, can support a variety of crops including kale, spinach, onions, and black nightshade.
Their layered design allows for efficient water use and simplified harvesting, making them ideal for households with limited resources.
Grassroots mobilizers like Joseph Sankiri, who works with Abuga have been instrumental in scaling the initiative.
“We teach mothers how to start gardens either by direct planting or nursery transplanting,” he says.
In Kibera, HEART has delivered tonnes of soil to the local WEEP office, anchoring the training and ensuring accessibility.
These urban farms consist of a series of sacks that are filled with manure, soil and small stones that enable water to drain.
Beyond nutrition, the gardens are cultivating community, confidence, and economic opportunity.
The ripple effect of the idea is healthier families, empowered mothers, and a greener, more hopeful future.
Owing to huge populations in areas such as Kibera, such gardens may face challenges related to hygiene, pests, and access to resources, and this is why expert guidance comes in handy to the mothers.
“While they can improve food security and nutrition, careful consideration and support are needed to ensure their safety and effectiveness,” says an online journal.
An article published on https://agricultureandfoodsecurity.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/2048-7010-2-8 , says that “Globally, home gardens have been documented as an important supplemental source contributing to food and nutritional security and livelihoods.”
