How Aromatic Fresh Kenya Is Cultivating Sustainable Impact

Established in 2020, Aromatic Fresh Kenya Ltd is a grower and exporter of fresh herbs rooted in sustainability, innovation, and inclusive growth. Based on a 10-acre farm in Kitengela, Kajiado County, the enterprise produces a wide range of fresh herbs including basil, flat parsley, chives, rosemary, thyme, oregano, sage, tarragon, lemon balm (melissa), lovage, sorrel, sweet marjoram, and red habanero, among others.

From the outset, Aromatic Fresh has embraced sustainable farming practices, using drip irrigation, fertigation, and solar energy to pump water. These approaches not only reduce environmental impact but also help build resilience in a sector increasingly affected by climate pressures.

Aromatic Fresh is one of the selected enterprises under Oxfam’s Impact Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises Development (iSME) project in Kenya. Through this initiative, Oxfam provides Business Development Services (BDS) to small businesses, supporting them to grow, access finance, and increase their social and economic impact. The project is funded by Oxfam Novib, in partnership with Open Capital Advisors and local partners.

This support comes at a critical time. Small and medium-sized enterprises make up 98% of all businesses in Kenya, generating 30% of new jobs annually and contributing 3% of the country’s GDP, according to a recent National Economic Survey by the Central Bank of Kenya. Yet many SMEs face persistent challenges,from limited access to markets and finance, to gaps in training, management, and business models.