Gideon Moi's Son Who Abandoned Engineering For Potato Farming

A side-by-side image of James David Kimoi Moi and the farm owned by Agrico East Africa Company in Nakuru County
A side-by-side image of James David Kimoi Moi and the farm owned by Agrico East Africa Company in Nakuru County
Canva

It has been the norm for the children of the wealthy to continue their legacy and follow in their parents' footsteps. 

However, in the case of James David Kimoi Moi, the eldest son of former Baringo Senator Gideon Moi and grandson to Kenya’s second President Daniel Arap Moi, he dared to change the narrative - abandoning civil engineering in order to pursue potato farming.

Kimoi graduated with a degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Exeter, United Kingdom. Prior to that, he had gotten secondary school education at the exclusive Harrow School in London. 

 James David Kimoi Moi speaking during the 2017 LAC Africa International Business Summit in Argentina.
James David Kimoi Moi speaking during the 2017 LAC Africa International Business Summit in Argentina.
LAC Africa

He, however, ditched the famed career and decided to get his hands 'dirty' in its literal sense. He is the current director of Agrico East Africa Company - hailed as one of the most elite potato seed companies in the country.

The trained engineer is also a director at Kongoy Farm - a family company that does large scale farming in the Rift Valley. 

Based in Nakuru County, the company imports an average of 200 to 300 tonnes of potato seeds from the Netherlands annually. The seeds are later multiplied on the farm locally and then sold at higher rates.

At a past media interview, Kimoi noted that the company's aim is to reach out to farmers and supply quality seeds through incorporating technology.

"From my perspective, there is a lack of certified seeds but we are filling the gap. Slowly we are reaching out to the farmer in an effort to make them understand," he stated.

The idea sprung up from the problem of farmers re-using potatoes harvested from their farms as seeds. This practice often results in poor production hence the decision by the elder Moi and his team to get better seeds abroad. 

In his resolve to improve the marketing strategies and smart farm mechanisms, Kimoi has travelled across various countries - picking up on reliable information to incorporate within the company.

"I have come to Argentina to see ideally how I can improve myself back in Kenya and use the information from here to make myself competitive in the market back home. I'm very excited to see what happens in the future," Kimoi stated during the 2017 LAC Africa International Business Summit.

When Gideon's son is not busy on the farm, he enjoys a game of polo - a sport that primarily runs in the family. His father and brother, Kigen Moi, also has a special liking for the exclusive game.

Kimoi has made huge contributions, scooping various awards in the sport - leading his team, Ultimate, to capture the Connaught cup championships in 2019.

KANU Leader Gideon Moi during One Kenya Alliance meeting at Hermosa Gardens in Karen on Tuesday, July 20, 2021
KANU Leader Gideon Moi during One Kenya Alliance meeting at Hermosa Gardens in Karen on Tuesday, July 20, 2021.
Kenyans.co.ke