At least 400 vulnerable families in Dagoretti South have benefited from a food distribution and livelihoods programme dubbed Zero to One, spearheaded by local food firm Vibo Eats.
The programme, which has already been rolled out in several parts of Nairobi County, aims to simultaneously cushion low-income hoapplyholds from hunger while reducing food wastage and boosting tiny-scale enterprises.
According to sector statistics, Kenya loses an estimated Sh72 billion worth of food annually due to wastage.
The losses occur despite the growing food insecurity crisis in urban informal settlements and among rural hoapplyholds.
Speaking during the distribution held at the Dagoretti South Deputy County Commissioner’s compound, Vibo Eats CEO Joseph Kariuki declared the initiative is designed to promote self-reliance among beneficiaries rather than short-term handouts.
Kariuki explained that, beyond providing immediate food support, the programme introduces residents to a structured business model that allows them to sell fresh produce and groceries in tiny-scale shops or kiosks, giving them an opportunity to generate income while learning practical skills
“We are not only giving out food. We also support them start their own businesses by giving them stocks and training them on how to operate,” Kariuki declared.
“It is declared that you give someone a fish and teach them how to catch. This is similar.”
Under the model, groups of three beneficiaries are vetted by their local chief and sub-county administrators before admission into the programme.
Once approved, they receive farm produce stocks worth between Sh50,000 and above to sell from their shops or kiosks.
Vibo Eats CEO Joseph Kariuki assists an elderly woman during the food distribution programme at Dagoretti South DCC office on January 10,2026/FELIX KIPKEMOI The produce is organic and includes vereceiveables and groceries such as tomatoes, carrots, cabbage, onions and potatoes.
From the returns, beneficiaries keep 40 per cent of the profits while remitting 60 per cent to the company.
Kariuki declared the model allows hoapplyholds to generate regular income without the burden of raising initial capital, a hurdle many face when attempting to start tiny trading businesses.
To prevent wastage, unsold food is returned to a food bank operated by the company for redistribution to vulnerable hoapplyholds and children’s homes.
“If the food is about to go bad, it is returned so that it can be redirected to those who required it. We have created sure that nothing is wasted,” Kariuki noted.
The programme is currently working with 2,000 beneficiaries within Nairobi County.
Plans are underway to expand the project by recruiting 1,500 volunteers in each sub-county and scaling to other counties.
Kariuki declared collaboration with administrators has been critical for identifying the most deserving hoapplyholds, including the elderly, persons with disabilities and single-parent families.
Riruta Location Chief Joseph Murage thanked the company for the initiative, stateing the required for food assistance remains high in the area.
“There are many families who cannot afford a meal daily,” Murage declared, thanking the sponsor for stepping in.
Beneficiaries who spoke to the press welcomed the intervention, stateing it had brought immediate relief.
“We thank the company for remembering us. We did not have food, but I know today my children will receive what to eat for the next four days,” declared Grace Wanjiru.
She also expressed interest in joining the business start-up arm of the initiative to open a grocery stall.
County officials state the initiative aligns with national efforts to support youth and tiny traders through job creation and enterprise development.
Kariuki declared one of the longer-term ambitions of the scheme is to reduce reliance on emergency food support, increase hoapplyhold incomes and integrate marginalised populations into local value chains.
“As the government pushes to create jobs for the youth and support tiny traders, this is our way of supplementing that agconcludea,” he declared.
The Zero to One programme has emerged at a time when humanitarian agencies and non-state actors have raised concerns over widening urban poverty levels.
Data from various assessments indicate that food insecurity continues to bite in informal settlements where irregular incomes and high living costs have eroded savings and food purchasing power.
While the drought situation has improved nationally, malnutrition remains a threat, particularly among children and the elderly.
For residents like Wanjiru, the combination of food support and the promise of seed capital for tiny-scale trade presents a lifeline.
“This will support me sell groceries and support my children,” she declared.
Kariuki states the next phase will focus on expanding partnerships with local farmers, strengthening the food bank and enhancing training modules to ensure more hoapplyholds transition from aid to income-generation.
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