The Lawyer Who Could Kiss the Courtroom Goodbye for the Stevia Herb

From a small eighth-acre plot in the Rift Valley, Nickly Kipkorir, a young law graduate from Mt. Kenya University, is rewriting his success story—not in courtrooms, but on the farm.

Kipkorir in his farm

Instead of waiting endlessly for a job in the legal field, Kipkorir decided to try his hand at stevia farming, a fast-growing venture that’s quickly gaining popularity across Kenya. And it’s paying off—literally.

In just three months, his small piece of land brings in more than Sh23,000, all from a crop that’s still relatively new in the region.

🌱 Turning Sweet Leaves into Sweeter Profits

Stevia is an herb whose leaves are processed to make natural, organic sweeteners used in beverages and confectionaries around the world. Known for being calorie-free and suitable for diabetics, it’s becoming a preferred alternative to sugar.

Kipkorir currently grows two stevia varieties—Pure Circle 1 and Londian 1.

“I have the Londian 1, which yields more. I expect to harvest over 100 kilos in a season,” he says proudly.

Each kilo of Londian 1 fetches around Sh135, while the Pure Circle 1 variety can go for as much as Sh235 per kilo. Not bad for a crop that matures in just 90 days.

At only 22 years old, Kipkorir has transformed a small section of his parents’ land into a profitable agribusiness. “I’m happy doing Stevia. I’m even looking for more land to lease because the crop is gaining popularity across counties. A firm in Kericho is already promoting it,” he adds.

💬 Inspiring a New Generation of Agripreneurs

Through Mkulima Young, a digital platform that connects young farmers, Kipkorir gets regular updates and guidance on stevia cultivation. He also uses the platform to share his experience and mentor other youth venturing into agribusiness.

“I interact with my peers and that makes this venture enjoyable,” he says. “I always tell young people to stop complaining about unemployment. There’s money in agribusiness — but you must be patient.”

🌍 What You Should Know About Stevia

• Origin: Native to South America, now cultivated globally for its sweet leaves.

• Uses: Natural sweetener and medicinal herb.

• Health Benefits: May help manage diabetes, high blood pressure, heartburn, indigestion, gingivitis, weight loss, and certain skin conditions.

• Side Effects: None known when used in moderation.

🚀 The Vision: From a Small Farm to a Pan-African Brand

Kipkorir’s ambitions stretch beyond the farm. He envisions creating a Pan-African company that will dominate the stevia market across the continent and beyond.

“I’ve already founded Stevia Kenya Company — it’s the tool that will help me achieve that dream,” he says confidently.

💡 His Message to Young Entrepreneurs

“Wake up from your comfort zone and look for opportunities. They won’t come to you — you must chase them. Opportunities are like butterflies: beautiful, but always flying away if you don’t go after them.”

🧭 Final Thoughts

Nickly Kipkorir’s story is a reminder that the path to success isn’t always the one you studied for. Sometimes, it’s the courage to explore new opportunities—like turning a simple herb into a thriving business—that changes everything.

Who knows? The next big name in Africa’s organic sweetener industry might not come from a factory or a multinational, but from a young lawyer who chose to kiss the courtroom goodbye for Stevia.