Kenyan Market Manager Wins Global Recognition at World Farmers Markets Awards in Nakuru
Dennis Andaye (centre) receives the Best Market Manager Award 2025 during the World Farmers Markets Coalition Awards ceremony held in Nakuru, where he was recognized for his innovation and leadership in transforming urban food systems.
Kenya’s Dennis Andaye, the founder of Farmers Market Nairobi, has been named the Best Market Manager of 2025 by the World Farmers Markets Coalition (WorldFMC) during the organization’s Third General Assembly and awards ceremony held in Nakuru.
The international awards celebrate individuals, markets, and cities driving fair, sustainable, and inclusive food systems. This year’s winners a farmer from Peru, a market manager from Kenya, and the city of Rome were honoured for showing how local action can inspire global transformation in the food sector.
Speaking during the awarding ceremony in Nakuru, Andaye said the recognition was a shared victory for all Kenyan farmers and vendors working to promote local markets.
“This award belongs to every farmer and trader who believes in the power of community markets . We have built spaces where farmers meet consumers not just to trade, but to connect, learn, and celebrate food culture.” He said.
Andaye was honoured for his outstanding leadership and innovation in managing farmers markets across Nairobi. For more than 15 years, he has transformed local markets into vibrant community spaces that bring together producers, consumers, and families around food and culture.
One of his key innovations is the digital vendor management system, which simplifies farmer registration, stall allocation, and data collection. The tool has made markets more transparent, efficient, and scalable, providing reliable data for better planning and growth.
He also pioneered “Harvest Hour,” a creative marketing initiative that draws larger crowds and diversifies product offerings. In collaboration with local media, he launched “Taste Off,” a popular cooking show filmed at the market and aired on national television, helping showcase local ingredients and food culture.
Andaye emphasized that innovation in farmers markets must always go hand in hand with compassion and social impact.
“At the end of every market day, there are families who need the food that remains unsold, that is why we collect surplus produce and redistribute it to those in need no one should sleep hungry when we have enough to share.” He said.
He noted that he is currently developing a community fund to sustain the food recovery programme throughout the year, ensuring that more households can access fresh, nutritious produce.
Over the years, Andaye has mentored a new generation of market managers and entrepreneurs, expanding the farmers market model into new spaces such as restaurants, malls, and urban streets. Through his leadership in the MAMi Project, he has helped scale the model across Africa, empowering smallholder farmers and creating new economic opportunities in urban areas.
He said the award would motivate him to continue advocating for stronger, more inclusive local food systems across the continent.
“Our dream is to make markets more than just economic spaces .They should be centres of dignity, creativity, and sustainability that bring people together.” He said.
Reflecting on the journey, Andaye added that the recognition was proof that grassroots innovation can create global change.
“When we start small and stay true to our values, we can build markets that transform lives,and this award is not the end it is the beginning of a new chapter for African farmers.” He said.
The World Farmers Markets Coalition, headquartered in Rome, brings together networks of local markets worldwide to promote sustainable trade and community-based economies. The 2025 General Assembly in Nakuru was attended by farmers, policymakers, and market leaders who shared ideas on strengthening food systems through local action.
