In the heart of Nakuru, a quiet revolution is taking place inside the factory walls of Kapi Limited. Once known solely for traditional insecticides, this 60-year-old family business is shedding its old skin to emerge as a cutting-edge agri-tech innovator, leading the charge to restore Kenya’s lost glory as the world’s pyrethrum powerhouse.

For decades, Kapi Limited was the reliable name on the shelf for keeping homes pest-free.But under the stewardship of Ian Shaw and a fully Kenyan management team, the firm has pivoted. They are no longer just mixing chemicals; they are bio-engineering the future of sustainable agriculture. By harnessing advanced organic formulations and partnering with smallholder networks, they are turning the "white gold" of pyrethrum into a modern tech-driven industry.

From Chemicals to Bio-Tech

The shift is driven by a global demand for organic, residue-free produce. Kapi’s new "Flower DS" range is not just a product; it is a technological leap. Using advanced extraction methods, they have created organic pesticides that meet the strictest European Union standards, opening up lucrative export markets for Kenya’s small-scale farmers.

• Empowering the Smallholder: Through partnerships with the Kenya Organic Agriculture Network (KOAN), Kapi is using mobile-tech and digital extension services to reach farmers in remote areas like Machakos, providing them with the tools to grow high-value organic crops.
• The Pyrethrum Renaissance: Kapi is actively distributing seedlings and technical know-how to revive pyrethrum farming in the Rift Valley, an industry that once supported 200,000 families before its collapse in the 1990s.

A Legacy Reborn

"We are using indigenous plants and modern science to solve today's food security problems," says a company insider. It is a bold vision that merges heritage with high-tech. By pivoting from a legacy manufacturer to an agri-tech enabler, Kapi Limited is proving that even the oldest dogs can lead the newest tricks in African agriculture.