Born in Teso, a community known for its peanuts and millet, Irene saw firsthand how local farmers, particularly women, were exploited by middlemen, leading to deepening poverty exacerbated by climate change and rising input costs.
Inspired by her father and driven by a passion for food innovation, Irene pursued a degree in Food Science and Technology at the University of Nairobi. After graduation, she volunteered with an international NGO, gaining insights into effective strategies for supporting rural communities.
In 2017, Irene launched a business producing porridge flours and millet-based snacks from indigenous grains, initially focusing on supporting a handful of women smallholders. The increasing demand from other women smallholders led her to redefine her approach to value addition and livelihood improvement.
In early 2023, Irene and her team developed the “Micro-Factory” model, a transformative approach that localizes processing and leverages community resources equitably and sustainably. Recognizing the peanut value chain as a key driver for impact, she focused on using this model to uplift marginalized women smallholders and foster prosperity in peanut-growing communities across Africa.
Irene’s innovative products and commitment to community empowerment have earned her prestigious awards, including the Mandela Washington Fellowship, Leaders in Innovation Fellowship, and recognition as an MB100 awardee. She is currently a Rainer Arnhold Fellow with the Mulago Foundation, where she continues to scale her impactful solutions for global peanut prosperity.