How Graduate Ditched Media Industry, Made First Million Four Months Later

St Paul's University graduates in 2017. The institution was ranked third nationally by uniRank, a leading international higher education directory.
St Paul's University graduates in 2017. The institution was ranked third nationally by uniRank, a leading international higher education directory.

It's not every day that you wake up and decide to ditch the industry that you studied so hard for years to work in and embark on something totally new and unrelated. 

However, this is the case of Fabian Kibet, a young graduate from Eldoret University, who made his first million four months after ditching his media degree. 

Deviating from the normal white collar jobs that many graduates aspire to hold, Kibet understood the reality of unemployment within the job market and delved into agribusiness - a decision he has not regretted to date.

Fabian Kibet tending to his farm in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County in August 2021.
Fabian Kibet tending to his farm in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County in August 2021.
biznakenya.com

“I know the reality of joblessness and so after clearing college, I did not want to waste my time searching for a job. With that in mind, after graduating, I went straight into farming,” he stated.

The graduate used his four-year savings to buy seedlings for tomatoes from the university. His father also donated part of his farm to aid Kibet in his quest to prosper in the new venture.

Before planting the seeds, the young lad embarked on immense research from other farmers, university lecturers, and internet as well as his knowledge from high school. 

He then planted the tomato seeds in plastic containers at a nursery to provide favourable conditions for the crops.

After the seeds germinated, he kept the containers moist until the plants broke the surface - the process takes a minimum of two weeks before one can remove the plastic bag.

The graduate then transplanted the tomatoes to the farm and added compost manure. Four months later, the crops matured and were ready for harvest.

For his first harvest, he sold the tomatoes to hotels and supermarkets, earning his first million shillings in the process. He owed the success to a ready market across Eldoret and its environs. He noted that he harvested 20 crates and the profits grew in margin in his subsequent harvests.

The farmer, however, pointed out that the journey was not all rosy as he faced a myriad of challenges among them pest and diseases, unfavourable weather conditions and funding.

Currently, Kibet's farm grows vegetables, kales, spinach, cabbages, as well as passion fruits. He has also ventured into fish farming - a project that he established with the help of the County Government of Uasin Gishu.

"In farming, timing is everything. A farmer must know when to plant, harvest and hit the market. That knowledge is crucial," he advised other aspiring agripreneurs.

An undated image of an empty TV station in Kenya
An undated image of an empty TV station in Kenya
Africa press