Discover our mission!

Our purpose at Malaika Kitchens is to unlock the full potential of every child in Kenya through the transformative power of a sustainable, nourishing warm meal. We believe that a healthy meal isn’t just sustenance—it’s a catalyst for education, well-being, and the realization of dreams. By ensuring no child’s learning is compromised by hunger, we envision schools as beacons of health and learning, fostering communities where children thrive, learn, and grow into leaders who can shape a brighter future for Kenya and beyond.
Our goals are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable development goals
4,789+ Meals provided daily
Meals covering ⅓ of daily nutritional requirements
Proven impact on KCPE scores
Hiring cooks & farmers from the community
Procuring ingredients from local farmers
Partnering with government and private institutions

Our Journey

2020
Founding of FarmWorks
In 2020, FarmWorks was launched with the mission to unlock Africa's agricultural potential. By establishing clusters of mid-sized farms and collaborating with thousands of small-holder farmers, we aimed to create direct linkages to local and global markets.
November 2021
Malaika Kitchens s born
Recognizing the need expressed by schools to develop and manage their own food programs, we launched Malaika Kitchens as a "Sister program" to FarmWorks. Our focus shifted to the demand side of the food system value chain, believing that nutritious meals could significantly enhance children's learning and growth
January 2022 - May 2022
Proof of concept
Through piloting in two schools in Kirinyaga county, we refined our operational mechanics, developed crisis management protocols, and learned from our mistakes.
May 2022 - May 2023
Early expansion
Expanding to three additional schools, we broadened our impact, reaching more children and fostering hope within families and communities. Notably, our pilot schools soared to the top five in local performance ratings.
June 2023
Institutionaliziing Malaika Kitchens
Welcoming a full-time local Executive Director marked a strategic advancement. Brenda Akweywa joined our mission with full momentum!
June 2024
One million meals served
Two and a half years after the first small pilot project our partner schools have now supplied one million meals to young learners across Kirinyaga.
Today - 2025
Continued growth and impact
Our trajectory aims for nationwide expansion, beginning with neighboring counties within the next two years.
Meet our team
Introducing our “small” yet mighty team at Malaika Kitchens! Committed to community-centric school meal programs, our efficient leads work tirelessly to support schools and communities in program design and implementation.
Brenda Akweywa
Executive Director

Orchestrates program operations seamlessly while charting bold paths for the future

Christine Njihia
Program Officer
Ensures the heartbeat of our program resonates flawlessly within schools and communities every single day
Rosemary Njue
Financial Accountant
Keeps our books balanced and the school budgets in check with precision and flair
Bilha kiragu
Program Assistant
Ensures things run smoothly behind the scenes, making sure our program is a success.
Derick Opembe
Media assistant
Brings our story to life through creative content and helps spread the word about our mission far and wide.
Ferdinand Kasiti
Team driver
Drives us to every school safely and with a smile, making every journey a pleasant one.