Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) and Tassells Ltd have entered into discussions aimed at deepening and expanding their existing partnership.
The talks focused on unlocking new opportunities in innovation, research, and capacity development for both staff and students, with an emphasis on fostering impactful solutions that strengthen the link between academia and industry.
Led by Mr. Muturi Njoroge, Chief Executive Officer of Tassells Ltd, the delegation paid a courtesy call on the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, during which they also held in-depth discussions on a proposed collaborative project to establish a major Agro-Industrial Dairy Complex in Kitui County.
The initiative is envisioned as a transformative venture that will integrate research, innovation, and commercial production to strengthen Kenya’s dairy value chain among other areas and promote sustainable agro-industrial development.
Building upon an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two entities on upgrading the University Dairy Farm, the proposed project seeks to strengthen value addition within the dairy sector, enhance academia–industry collaboration, and contribute to local economic empowerment through capacity building, research, and technology transfer.
Welcoming the delegation on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi, the Vice Chancellor of JKUAT, commended the ongoing collaboration with Tassels Ltd, noting that such “partnerships are vital in translating research and innovation into tangible socio-economic impact”.
The Vice Chancellor reaffirmed the University’s commitment to leveraging its expertise in agricultural technology and research to support transformative projects that advance Kenya’s food security and rural development agenda.
While underscoring the importance of strengthening the dairy sector, Prof. Ngumi emphasized that strategic collaborations between academia and industry are essential for improving productivity, enhancing value addition, and creating sustainable livelihoods for farming communities.
“Integrating research, innovation, and commercialization, have the potential to significantly contribute to national development goals,” said Prof. Ngumi.
On his part, Mr. Muturi Njoroge, CEO, Tassells Ltd, affirmed the company’s commitment to supporting farmers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
The CEO said the partnership with JKUAT aligns with Tassels’ vision of empowering farming communities through technology-driven solutions, capacity building, and market access initiatives aimed at improving productivity and profitability in the dairy sector.
“This partnership with JKUAT inspires us at Tassells to deepen our collaboration and explore new frontiers in innovation, research, and agribusiness. We believe that by combining our strengths, we can develop sustainable, technological solutions that empower farmers, enhance value addition, and drive growth within Kenya’s agricultural sector,” said Mr. Njoroge.
With JKUAT’s proven expertise in research and academic excellence, Mr. Njoroge noted that the University stands out as an important strategic partner in driving innovation and advancing sustainable growth within Kenya’s agricultural value chains.
