Reflections from the Kenyan SPOKE
Peter Ongalo
2025 was a defining year for the Africa Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Cooling and Cold-Chain (ACES) and the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), working in close collaboration with the Clean Cooling Network (CCN), as our programme of work significantly advanced ambitions for community-centered cold-chain scale-up across Kenya.
Specialised Outreach and Knowledge Establishments (SPOKEs) are a core component of the CCN’s “hub and spoke” model of outreach, engagement, and delivery, and the first of these to be created is located in Kenya. This first ACES SPOKE, of which more are planned for 2026, has already begun to deliver positive results, with the team this year offering a wide range of training courses and implementing the first application of our novel “Try-Before-You-Buy” (TBYB) scheme.
TBYB is a unique and powerful concept that involves a package of basic cold-chain equipment being temporarily installed (free of charge) in a rural community to enable them to connect to new markets, test new business models, gain hands-on experience, and realise value-adding opportunities, in a safe, low-risk, supported operational environment. Following extensive community engagement and support, the Lari Horticultural Farmers’ Cooperative Society (LHFCS) was established and was ready in March to be the inaugural candidate for the scheme’s rollout. The programme will enable the farmers to test how access to sustainable cold-chain infrastructure can be a game-changer in addressing their intractable challenge of substantial post-harvest losses and poor market connectivity. As part of the TBYB, the Cooperative has been able to access a 5MT solar-powered pre-cooler/cold store and refrigerated transport, coupled with comprehensive training and business support.
As the year closes, 200 smallholder farmers have registered as members of LHFCS, and many are already earning returns 50% higher than before, thanks to improved quality, extended shelf life, and access to premium markets. Beyond financial gains, the Cooperative has been supported in strengthening governance and operational capacity to cement its position as a vital business unit in Kenya’s horticultural food system.
Building on the work to date, a second community engagement and TBYB programme was launched. Five communities have been shortlisted, and ACTS conducted an initiation workshop with them, during which they were guided in developing a business model canvas that integrates and values cold-chain solutions. They are now being supported through structured business coaching and mentoring, with the expectation that each will have a refined business model ready early in the new year for pitching to a panel of experts. ACTS and ACES plan to then roll out the top two successful TBYB business models, provide continued business support to the remaining three communities.
We will also finalise a robust business plan for Lari Horticulture Farmers’ Cooperative Society (LHFCS). Additional efforts will focus on supporting LHFCS towards long-term sustainability, expanding training through sector-specific modules, and strengthening business incubation support for programme alumni.
Equally impactful in 2025 has been the continuation of the Cold-chain Foundation Course. Participants develop expertise in refrigeration technologies, postharvest management, regulatory compliance, and clean cooling entrepreneurship. Moreover, hands-on field visits to operational sites deepened their practical understanding of solar-powered systems and traceability technologies.
With rising farmer demand, expanding market linkages, and robust implementation evidence, including the strong interest obtained from the 18 applicant communities, 2026 promises to be another exciting and successful year for the team at the Kenyan SPOKE.
