In a world fixated on traditional career paths and white-collar jobs, Boniface Bundi took a leap of faith that led him on an extraordinary journey from a marketing graduate to a millionaire farmer.
Breaking away from societal norms, Bundi chose to dig his way to success, both metaphorically and literally.
Years back, Bundi’s agricultural ventures blossomed into a thriving business.
Here is his story as told by WoK.
Finding Inspiration in the Soil
It all began after Bundi graduated from the University of Nairobi with a degree in marketing.
Instead of chasing a corporate career, he turned to his long-held fascination with farming.
With a shovel in hand and hope in his heart, he embarked on a farming journey, starting with cultivating French beans.
“I started by growing French beans (michiri). I had my fingers crossed that all will go well,” Bundi said during an interview with the Standard.
His passion for farming was nurtured by his father, who, despite being a Class Seven drop-out, had managed to provide education for Bundi and his siblings through the proceeds of his own farming endeavors.
A Humble Beginning
Armed with limited resources and boundless determination, Bundi requested a parcel of land from his parents.
Broke but undeterred, he poured his marketing skills and farming passion into the soil, hoping for a fruitful outcome.
As he diligently tended to his crops after his day job, his efforts slowly bore fruit.
“Even though I got a marketing job in the motor industry, I still went home after work and took care of the crops I was growing,” he added.
Within five years, the farmer par excellence was earning an impressive average monthly income of Ksh200,000 from his farm, primarily through exporting his produce and selling dairy products.
Typically, Boniface Bundi managed to harvest approximately 800 kilograms of michiri (French beans) every week, which he then sold to an export company.
In addition, he owned two dairy cows that provided him with an average of 40 liters of milk per day.
He expanded his farm to include the cultivation of potatoes and tomatoes.
Overcoming Setbacks
Bundi’s journey to success wasn’t without its fair share of setbacks.
Drought posed a significant challenge, forcing him to seek water from neighboring boreholes to keep his crops alive.
Additionally, crop pests threatened the viability of his michiri plants. Undeterred, Bundi ventured into greenhouse farming with high hopes being among the Kenyan Millionaires, only to face initial failure due to a lack of research and knowledge.
However, his resilient spirit pushed him forward.
Recognizing the importance of learning, he sought advice from experts and committed himself to expanding his knowledge in greenhouse farming.
