Rodrick Mwirigi Murithi
Meru
Summary
Highly accomplished and results-driven agricultural development professional with a 5 year strong track record in strategic leadership, program transformation, and institutional strengthening within farmer organizations. Demonstrated ability to lead complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, drive management change, and deliver impactful agricultural programs that enhance farmer incomes and food security. Possesses a solid academic foundation in agriculture, community development, and complemented by practical experience in project design, partnership development, and enterprise growth. Adept at operating in high-pressure and multicultural environments, with exceptional interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills across government, private sector, academia, and development partners. Recognized for building and sustaining high-level networks both nationally and internationally, and for advancing market access, financial inclusion, and climate-smart agriculture solutions. Committed to leveraging extensive experience in project leadership and stakeholder coordination to drive organizational growth, innovation, and sustainable impact.
Overview
6
6
years of professional experience
Work History
Lead Business Development Services Department (BDS)
Kenya National Farmers' Federation (KENAFF)
Nairobi, Kenya
01.2025 - 03.2026
- Provided strategic leadership in the design, implementation, and scaling of KENAFF's fee-based Business Development Services (BDS) portfolio, enhancing service delivery to farmers.
- Developed and executed annual work plans, budgets, and targets, aligned with KENAFF's strategic priorities and member needs.
- Led the design and roll-out of innovative services for farmers and cooperatives, including market access, financial inclusion, input access, and mechanization.
- Oversaw the successful implementation of key programs such as Farmers Health Insurance (FHI), bulk procurement, market linkage facilitation, and climate/agricultural insurance.
- Cultivated and managed strategic partnerships with private sector actors, government institutions, and development partners, co-creating and securing funding for BDS initiatives.
- Led the preparation of high-impact project proposals, concept notes, and partnership agreements (MoUs), securing nine new project grants.
- Supervised the implementation of BDS activities across 41 counties, ensuring measurable outcomes through robust monitoring and evaluation systems, achieving on-time delivery.
- Provided expert enterprise development, business planning, and market linkage support to county associations and farmer organizations, leading to an increase in their operational efficiency.
- Negotiated critical supplier and off-taker agreements, enhancing member benefits and ensuring department sustainability.
- Mentored and supervised a team of 4 BDS staff and county focal persons, strengthening delivery capacity and improving team performance.
- Documented lessons learned, success stories, and performance reports, guiding scaling strategies and fostering organizational learning.
- Strengthened the visibility and marketing of BDS services through strategic digital platforms and targeted communication campaigns, increasing service uptake.
Project Officer – Programs (Project Lead)
Kenya National Farmers' Federation (KENAFF)
Nairobi, Kenya
01.2023 - 12.2024
- DREEM Hub Project (Kitui, Makueni, Laikipia, Isiolo): Led end-to-end implementation across 4 counties, coordinating multi-stakeholder partnerships and field teams, reaching over 40,000 farmers with inclusive agribusiness models and improving access to markets and financial services.
- Tea Portfolio Project: Spearheaded value chain interventions, enhancing productivity and quality for smallholder tea farmers and strengthening linkages to factories and structured markets.
- Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) Project: Led training and adoption of climate-smart soil practices, contributing to improved yields and soil health among target farmer groups.
- Airband Project: Oversaw rollout of ICT-enabled advisory services, expanding digital extension access to over 60,000 farmers, improving real-time decision-making and information flow.
- Farm Pass Project: Managed farmer onboarding and service delivery, increasing access to bundled inputs, advisory, and financial services for smallholder farmers.
- Farmers Health Insurance (FHI) Initiative: Directed enrollment and partner coordination, improving access to affordable health insurance for farmers and strengthening household resilience.
- Bulk Procurement & Market Linkages Program: Led aggregation and procurement models, reducing input costs and securing structured markets, resulting in improved farmer profitability.
- Mechanization Services Initiative: Coordinated mechanization access, reducing labor costs and improving farm efficiency across project areas.
- Capacity Building Programs: Led training of 150,000+ farmers, strengthening skills in climate-smart agriculture, post-harvest management, and agribusiness, with increased adoption of improved practices.
- Partnerships & Resource Mobilization: Managed collaborations with key partners (Solidaridad Network, FAO, Mastercard Foundation, IFAD, GIZ, WWF, among others), supporting successful resource mobilization and program scale-up.
- Policy & Research (TEEB AgriFood): Contributed to policy briefs and sustainability frameworks, influencing agricultural policy and promoting sustainable agribusiness models.
Assistant Project Officer – Business Development Services (BDS)
Kenya National Farmers' Federation (KENAFF)
Nairobi, Kenya
10.2020 - 12.2022
- Assisted in the organization and delivery of farmer training sessions on agribusiness, climate-smart agriculture, and sustainable farming practices.
- Facilitated bulk procurement and coordinated farmer inputs and services, including insurance, mechanization, and digital advisory tools.
- Supported the development of market linkages and post-harvest management initiatives for smallholder farmers, leading to a reduction in post-harvest losses.
- Participated actively in stakeholder engagement meetings and contributed to partnership building efforts, strengthening collaborative relationships.
- Contributed to the drafting of reports, concept notes, and proposals, supporting resource mobilization and project expansion initiatives.
Field Officer
Amiran Kenya Ltd
Meru, Kenya
01.2020 - 07.2020
- Provided expert technical and agronomic advisory services to farmers, improving crop health and productivity.
- Collected and maintained accurate field data on crop performance, pest and disease management, and resource utilization, informing strategic interventions.
- Facilitated farmer trainings on soil health, pest control, and productivity enhancement, leading to an increase in crop yields.
- Coordinated effectively with the sales department to ensure efficient distribution of farm inputs, optimizing supply chain logistics.
Education
Master of Science - Agricultural Economics
University of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya11-2027
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Education and Extension
University of Embu
Embu, Kenya12-2022
Skills
- Strategic Leadership & Management, Business Development Services (BDS) Design & Implementation, Project Planning, Management & Execution, Partnership Development & Stakeholder Engagement, Agricultural Input Supply Chain Management, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Systems, Proposal Writing & Fundraising, Team Leadership & Staff Supervision, Digital Agriculture & ICT Solutions, Climate-Smart Agriculture Practices, Value Chain Development, Performance Reporting & Documentation
Timeline
Lead Business Development Services Department (BDS)
Kenya National Farmers' Federation (KENAFF)
01.2025 - 03.2026
Project Officer – Programs (Project Lead)
Kenya National Farmers' Federation (KENAFF)
01.2023 - 12.2024
Assistant Project Officer – Business Development Services (BDS)
Kenya National Farmers' Federation (KENAFF)
10.2020 - 12.2022
Field Officer
Amiran Kenya Ltd
01.2020 - 07.2020
Bachelor of Science - Agricultural Education and Extension
University of Embu
Master of Science - Agricultural Economics
University of Nairobi