Cairo, Egypt – Jenniffer Wairimu Waruingi, popularly known as Waridi, is making waves across the continent as one of Kenya’s boldest voices in youth leadership, sustainable agriculture, and Pan-African development. As President of the Kenya Youth Organization (KYO) and Founder of Waridi Foundation, she recently delivered a keynote speech at a high-level African Union (AU) forum in Cairo, focusing on the implementation of the CAADP Kampala Strategy—Africa’s roadmap to food security by 2035.
Waridi was invited as a speaker to represent Kenya’s youth and shared the impact of her work in advancing agribusiness through KYO and Waridi Foundation. With all AU member states present and the Egyptian Ministry of Agriculture officiating, she emphasized the critical importance of youth and women inclusion in agri-food systems, calling for structured participation beyond tokenism.
“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.”
Through her continental platform, the Africa Development Tour, Waridi is uniting young changemakers across borders to share innovation, promote sustainable tourism, and build a movement for a self-reliant and food-secure Africa. She also leads Kwetu Inn Africa, a travel and tourism brand promoting the continent’s rich culture, eco-experiences, and development potential—closely tied to her mission of rebranding Africa from the inside out.
Reflecting on Egypt’s agricultural innovation despite its desert terrain, Waridi praised the country’s strategic investments in irrigation, research, and food resilience. She challenged Kenya’s Ministry of Agriculture, under CS Mutahi Kagwe, to adopt similar bold strategies while ensuring that structured youth-led organizations like the Kenya Youth Organization are recognized and involved.
> “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 added.
A daughter of Lamu’s renowned farmer, Michael Waruingi, Waridi’s leadership is rooted in lived experience, combining local truth with continental impact. Her vision is clear: a food-secure, youth-driven, self-reliant Africa.
