Kombabelio Pack House in Kapchemutwa to Boost Elgeyo Marakwet Farmers’ Market Access and Efficiency

  A new pack house at Kombabelio in Kapchemutwa Ward is set to transform the way horticultural farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet market their produce, addressing longstanding challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the region. The pack house, a 15-tonne facility equipped with a cold room, was officially launched in partnership with Farm Africa, a leading charity that works with smallholder farmers to improve agricultural productivity and market access.
For years, farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet have struggled with poor handling and storage of their crops, leading to high post-harvest losses. They also faced exploitation by middlemen, who would often control the market prices. The new pack house aims to address these issues by offering farmers a reliable facility to store and package their produce before it reaches the market.
The facility will primarily serve farmers who grow snowpeas, sugar snaps, French beans, and other high-value crops. The pack house will reduce reliance on refrigerated lorries for transport, ensuring that produce is handled and packaged efficiently and remains fresh for longer periods. In addition, the pack house features a Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) centre, which will help ensure that all produce meets international market standards, opening new export opportunities for local farmers.
The project was launched with the support of key stakeholders, including Farm Africa’s Country Programmes Manager, Mr. George Ochuodo. During the opening, County Commissioner John Korir, Kapchemutwa Ward MCA Steve Cheruiyot, and Dickson Kimathi from Kenya Horticultural Exporters, as well as Agriculture Department staff, all expressed their support for the initiative.
“We are excited about the Kombabelio Pack House because it provides our farmers with the opportunity to store and package their produce in a professional manner, which will ultimately increase their competitiveness in both local and international markets,” said MCA Steve Cheruiyot.
The pack house project is a significant step forward in improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in Elgeyo Marakwet by reducing post-harvest losses, increasing packaging efficiency, and providing access to better markets. The collaboration between the county government, Farm Africa, and other stakeholders marks a positive move toward addressing the challenges faced by the agricultural sector in the region.
Farmers are optimistic that the new facility will not only increase their profits but also allow them to scale up production and reach new markets with greater ease.  Read More