Egerton University’s TAGDev 2.0 Cohort 1 students today 7th May 2025, were involved in a transformative psycho-social support session organized by the program aimed at enhancing emotional resilience, promoting psychological well-being, and equipping students with effective stress management strategies as they navigate academic and personal pressures. The training held at the TAGDev Centre not only focused on academic excellence but also emphasized the psychosocial welfare of students. This approach recognizes that for students to truly excel, especially in a university environment that often presents a lot of challenges, their mental and emotional health must be prioritized.

The training was facilitated by Mrs. Tabitha Mwaniki who took the students through various topics including identifying signs of mental distress, self-awareness, the importance of emotional intelligence, and how to build positive coping mechanisms. Through guided discussions and interactive activities, they openly shared experiences and reflected on the social and academic pressures they face. One of the highlights of the session was the exploration of common stress triggers among university students such as academic overload, financial stress, isolation, and transitions into adulthood. The students were provided with simple yet powerful tools for managing stress, such as time management, relaxation techniques, mindfulness practices and maintaining a healthy social support system. 

The session also introduced students to campus-based support systems, including counseling services available at Egerton University. The facilitator urged students to make use of these resources and not to suffer in silence, reinforcing the message that mental wellness is a shared responsibility of the entire university community.
Speaking on behalf of the TAGDev Program, the Gender, Inclusions & Safeguards Officer Dr. Godfrey Atsiaya noted that mental health support is now a critical component of student development initiatives. “We want to produce not only academically excellent graduates but also emotionally intelligent, self-aware leaders who can manage stress and adversity now and in their future careers and lives,” he emphasized.

The training marked a step forward in normalizing mental health conversations and equipping the young women and men with the psychological tools needed to prosper academically, socially, and personally as evidenced by one student who noted that:  “This training has taught me that taking care of my mental health is just as important as attending lectures, it is encouraging to learn that many of my peers face similar challenges, and together we can support one another.”

TAGDev 2.0 Program, Egerton University cohort 1 Environmental Science students participated in the transformative Environmental Conservation Summit at Egerton University. This gathering brought together passionate minds, including Egerton staff and students from various faculties, representatives from Nakuru County’s Department of Water, Energy, Climate Change & Environment, and students from JKUAT and Kabarak University.
The summit sparked critical discussions on sustainable practices, solid waste management, and climate action. The TAGDev students launched their innovation whereby they have repurposed waste bathtubs around the university into eco-friendly outdoor benches which can be used by students for during group discussions

On April 16, 2025, Egerton University, through the TAGDev 2.0 Program team, held a successful virtual onboarding session for the Agrifood Systems and Entrepreneurship Consortium (ASEC) Project partners. Led by Program Coordinator Prof. Nancy Mungai, the session marked a key step in laying the groundwork for a collaborative and impactful initiative aimed at transforming agricultural education and boosting youth employment.

The ASEC project, coordinated by Egerton University in partnership with Pwani University, University of Embu, Karatina University, Dairy Training Institute, Nyandarua National Polytechnic, and Baraka Agriculture College, is designed to create job opportunities for young women and men while enhancing the resilience of smallholder farmers. The consortium brings together academic institutions and technical training centers to address critical challenges in Kenya’s agri-food systems.
The onboarding brought together project leads and value chain representatives for a focused session that outlined project implementation strategies and clarified roles and expectations. Key areas covered included gender, inclusion and safeguarding (GIS), Entrepreneurship, communication and branding, monitoring and evaluation, all essential for coherent execution and measurable outcomes.

Virginia Njuguna, the Associate Program Officer, TAGDev 2.0 at Egerton University, outlined the universities and TVETs role in coordinating project activities and ensuring smooth implementation through structured planning and accountability measures. Her focus centered on how Egerton, in collaboration with its partners, has adopted a results-driven approach that ties budgeting to clearly defined deliverables. She also emphasized the value of transparency, partner engagement, and adherence to financial and procurement guidelines as key pillars of effective project management. By highlighting these practices, Virginia emphasized the importance of strong institutional leadership in driving the project’s success. Her presentation demonstrated how thoughtful coordination and proper project management will not only enable the delivery of key outputs but also reinforce the broader goal of empowering young women and men & transforming agricultural systems.

Fahad Juma, the Business Entrepreneurship and Development Officer presented the ASEC Entrepreneurship Framework. This model provides clear pathways for young women and men to engage in agribusiness through capacity building, startup support, and enterprise growth services. It focuses on enabling young women and men to acquire the skills and tools needed to launch and scale agribusiness ventures, with the ultimate goal of reducing youth unemployment. The framework outlines two main outputs: building the entrepreneurial capacity of young people and supporting the expansion of youth-led businesses. It includes structured activities such as training, incubation, and acceleration to nurture innovation and business readiness. This approach aligns well with the project’s broader goal of turning agricultural training into tangible economic opportunities for the youth.
Dr. Atsiaya, GIS Officer, emphasized the importance of integrating gender, safeguarding, and inclusion into all project activities. He called on stakeholders to ensure safe and equitable spaces, especially for women and marginalized groups. This commitment to inclusivity is embedded across the consortium’s operations.

The partners were also taken through the communication and branding guidelines intended to ensure consistency across all ASEC-related outputs. Teams were encouraged to apply these standards in their reports, publications, and digital materials to reinforce a strong, unified project identity.

Additionally, the monitoring and evaluation segment focused on performance tracking, data collection, and timely reporting key elements for accountability and continuous learning . The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework provides a structured approach that ensures activities are not only implemented efficiently but also generate valuable insights for continuous improvement. At the heart of this process is the Theory of Change, which guides strategic decision-making by linking activities to desired outcomes. Kipngetich Chumo Shadrack, the MEL Officer, emphasized, “Data-driven decision-making is not just a tool, it’s the backbone of sustainable impact.” Through consistent tracking systems and evaluations, the ASEC Partners will be able to  measure progress, identify gaps, and adapt accordingly, ensuring that the project remain relevant, responsive, and impactful in changing development contexts.

By aligning partners on common objectives and strategic direction, the onboarding session established a strong foundation for the consortium’s success. As implementation gets underway, the ASEC project is positioned to inspire a new generation of agricultural leaders and innovators. 

The TAGDev 2.0 Egerton University Cohort 1 students, together with the program secretariat, paid an insightful visit to Rehema Farm in Mai Mahiu, Nakuru county Kenya. Rehema Farm is a model farm that has adopted organic farming & climate smart agricultural practices transforming arid lands into a highly productive venture. The visit provided the students with hands-on experience in organic farming, soil health management, and ecosystem restoration.

Rehema Farm, founded in 2017, is a testament to resilience and innovation in agriculture. Established on what was once barren, salt-ridden soil, the farm has flourished into a thriving oasis through agro ecological principles. The students’ visit to this remarkable farm was an opportunity to witness firsthand how regenerative agriculture can restore soil fertility, improve biodiversity, and promote sustainable food production.

Upon arrival, the students were warmly welcomed by the farm’s founder, Sylvia Kuria, who passionately shared her journey of transforming the once unproductive land into a model farm. She emphasized the importance of soil health, explaining how tree planting, minimal tillage, composting, and organic matter enrichment have played a critical role in rejuvenating the land. Through these methods, the farm has recorded a significant increase in soil organic matter, fostering better crop yields and sustainability.
The students participated in an engaging farm tour, where they observed various organic farming techniques in action. They learned about the role of nitrogen-fixing trees in creating a microclimate conducive to farming, the benefits of integrating animals into the farming system, and how cover crops help retain soil moisture and protect the soil microbiome. Additionally, they saw firsthand how organic composting techniques contribute to soil enrichment and plant health.

One of the key highlights of the visit was the discussion on the importance of biodiversity in farming. Rehema Farm has successfully created a balanced ecosystem where pests are naturally controlled, reducing reliance on chemical pesticides. The students were fascinated by the increase in biodiversity, with over ten bird species now thriving on the farm due to improved soil and plant health.

Reflecting on the experience, many students expressed their newfound appreciation for organic farming and its potential to revolutionize agriculture in dry areas. “Seeing the transformation of this land has been an eye-opener. It proves that with the right techniques, even the most challenging environments can be productive,” remarked one student.
The visit to Rehema Farm was not just an educational tour but an inspiration for the next generation of agricultural leaders. By witnessing the success of regenerative farming, the students left with a renewed commitment to championing sustainable agriculture in their future careers. With determination, innovation, and proper techniques, arid lands can be turned into breadbaskets, ensuring food security and environmental sustainability for future generations.