From Office Desk to Green Haven: How Pauline Mwangi Turned Her Half-Acre City Plot into a Thriving Urban Farm

In the bustling heart of Kasarani, Nairobi, where concrete towers dominate the skyline, one woman is quietly redefining what it means to live—and grow—in the city.

Pauline's farm

Meet Pauline Mwangi, an office professional who has turned her half-acre city home into a profitable urban farm, producing fresh food not only for her family but also for neighbors, hotels, and local markets.

A Weekend Farmer with a Vision

It’s early Saturday morning, and Pauline has swapped her office wear for boots and a sun hat. She begins her day checking on her quails, her latest addition to the farm, ensuring they have enough feed and clean water. Next, she tends to her kienyeji (indigenous) chickens—100 of them—before moving on to inspect her flourishing vegetable beds.

For a moment, you might forget you’re in Nairobi. The sight of greenhouses, banana trees, and orderly vegetable rows makes her compound look like a small rural paradise.

Where It All Began

Pauline’s farming journey started from a simple desire—to feed her family healthier food.

“When my children were born, I wanted them to have a healthy lifestyle,” she recalls. “At the time, there were a lot of concerns about the source of vegetables in Nairobi, with reports of produce grown near sewers. So, I planted some bananas outside my house just for home use.”

What began as a few banana plants soon grew into small kitchen gardens of kales, coriander, and parsley—enough for her family and some extra for visiting friends and neighbors.

“Whenever my friends came over, they’d ask to buy some of my fresh vegetables,” she laughs. “That’s when I realized I could actually turn my passion into a business.”

Growing into Agribusiness

Today, Pauline’s farm is a vibrant ecosystem producing tomatoes, strawberries, cabbages, spinach, kales, peppers, capsicum, cucumbers, bananas, and even maize. She sells her produce to local hotels, nearby residents, and repeat customers who appreciate her freshness and quality.

She delivers three crates of tomatoes to hotels thrice a week, each crate fetching between KSh 1,000 and KSh 1,500. Capsicum, another bestseller, earns her KSh 120 to KSh 150 per kilo, depending on the market.

Her husband supported her during the early capital-intensive phase, and Pauline supplemented it with her own savings. With time, she diversified further, investing in 600 quails after noticing the rising interest in quail meat and eggs.

To keep her stock sustainable, she purchased an incubator to hatch her own eggs, ensuring a continuous supply while selling mature birds to other farmers.

Waste Not, Want Not

Pauline has also mastered the art of sustainability. She now uses poultry droppings as organic manure for her crops—a move that saves costs and enriches her soil naturally.

“Previously, I used to hire a lorry to go all the way to Maasailand for manure,” she says. “Now, my farm is self-sustaining—everything I need is right here.”

Advice for Aspiring Urban Farmers

Pauline’s story has inspired many working women who dream of venturing into farming but fear they lack time or space. Her advice?

“Start small, be consistent, and always look for genuine suppliers — especially when buying greenhouses or farming equipment. Do your research and explore multiple options before investing.”

Her story proves that urban farming isn’t just a side hustle—it can be a sustainable, profitable lifestyle choice for those willing to get their hands a little dirty.

🌱 Final Thought

From a few banana plants to a thriving agribusiness, Pauline Mwangi embodies the spirit of modern urban farming—combining passion, innovation, and resilience. Her farm is more than just a source of income; it’s a symbol of what’s possible when determination meets green ambition.