Claire Nasike is profoundly influential in shaping Kenya’s food sovereignty future.
An agroecologist with unwavering conviction, she works at the intersection of environmental stewardship, farmer rights, and community empowerment. She advises governments and communities on safe, sustainable ways to grow food, tackling the dangers of toxic pesticides, GMOs and the erosion of biodiversity.
Claire has been the courageous face behind a landmark petition challenging a decades-old Kenyan law that criminalises smallholder farmers for selling, sharing, or exchanging seeds. If found in breach, farmers risk a year in jail or a fine of up to Sh1 million.
Since 2022, she has led 15 farmers in a court battle against this legislation, an act of defiance against multinational seed corporations and policies that undermine local farming traditions. The case has brought national attention to a law many farmers didn’t even know existed.
"Growing up with her grandmother, a herbalist and midwife, she learnt the value of trees, plants, and indigenous knowledge long before she stepped into a classroom. "
Growing up with her grandmother, a herbalist and midwife, she learnt the value of trees, plants, and indigenous knowledge long before she stepped into a classroom.
That upbringing inspired her to found The Hummingbird Foundation, which works with children in informal settlements.
With the help of volunteers, she teaches them to grow safe, organic food in school gardens, understand the importance of healthy soil, and value indigenous foods.
Intending to pursue a PhD in Seed Systems and Indigenous Foods, she envisions a future where smallholder farmers can freely save and share seeds, Africa can be self-reliant in food, energy, and technology, and communities can thrive without the chokehold of extractive capitalism.
–Lynet Igadwah