Thika: The village town that fell in love with pineapples #AD

There is constant activity in and around the town, bustling crowds, businesses and diverse cultural experiences.

The town has for decades been characterised by its warm people and close relationships to agriculture and pineapples. It’s a town that thrives with a mix of old and new — and more pineapples.

Thika Town, which is in Kiambu County, is looking to attain city status – and the people are happy. The issue has become a common point of discussion among the people of the town, even as they go about their duties.

The news is already bringing a smile to the faces of the people of the town, making the environment feel alive and exciting.

One can still easily pick the sweet, fruity smell of pineapples in the air, although from a distance. It’s a sweet, subtle smell. Those who know it – know it. Many here have grown with it – others, it could be their first time.

Many say that the aromatic tropical smell of pineapple has become part of the town’s furniture, a memory that is immediately attached to one’s sense of smell.

A quick look to the horizon reveals a carpet of lush green pineapples grown by Del Monte Kenya Limited – some young – others ripe, mature, and donning golden crowns awaiting harvesting.

In one section of the farm, rows of workers can be seen picking pineapples – and placing them onto the robotic arm of a conveyor that helps move the fruits efficiently onto giant crates.

Dozens of trucks crisscross the fields collecting and transporting harvested pineapples from the farm to the factory, with loads secured in crates.

This is life at the Del Monte Kenya farms.

Del Monte Kenya overlooks Thika Town. One can almost extend one's hand and touch the heart of the town from the beautiful greens of the Del Monte Kenya fields.

As neighbours – Del Monte Kenya and Thika Town have lived side by side for decades – and they are still getting along just fine 60 years later.

It’s a blossoming relationship that many in the town and surrounding areas say goes beyond the pineapple fields and expansive factory floors.

Del Monte Kenya has become an integral part of Thika town and her people, empowering the community, supporting business and improving livelihoods.

“Del Monte to us Thika people as a town and county is an economic game-changer and the lifeline of major surrounding towns,” says Alfred Wanyoike, Chairman Business Community in Thika.

“This company has employed thousands of people from the region and across Kenya. It has brought both direct and indirect benefits to the region through employment and business support in the town,” says Wanyoike.

Wanyoike says that some of the beneficiaries include suppliers, landlords, schools, hotels and restaurants, supermarkets, markets and a wide range of other businesses.

Of those living in Thika Town, many are employed at Del Monte Kenya to do a wide range of jobs. These people support their families, pay school fees, and buy food and medicine with their income.

Del Monte Kenya employs over 7,700 workers and indirectly supports thousands more.

Many employees live on-site in residential areas provided by the company. Others commute from neighbouring towns, including Thika.

“Del Monte has built schools, houses and clinics which offer essential services to our thousands of workers and their families,” says Del Monte Kenya Human Resource Manager Gideon Kimutai.

“Del Monte has, for instance, partnered with the county health authorities to run medical outreach programmes, including cancer screening, HIV awareness and reproductive health education. These are part of our broader commitment to community wellness,” says Kimutai.

Adding that: “Our clinics are staffed with qualified nurses and doctors, and offer services such as outpatient care, maternal health, immunisations, and treatment of minor injuries and illnesses.”

As part of its social impact engagement, Del Monte Kenya has invested in constructing and maintaining access roads, which have benefitted local residents. The roads have linked and connected schools, markets and homes, making life better for the people and the surrounding community.

On matters of education, Del Monte Kenya has played a pivotal role by helping establish three primary schools and eight nursery schools offering Early Childhood Education (ECD).

Del Monte Mixed Secondary School, which the company opened, is located on one of the farms, and Del Monte Secondary School is in Murang’a County. Over 14,000 learners have cumulatively benefited from these educational facilities.

"The schools continue to receive financial and logistical support from Del Monte. Our community outreach program goes beyond employment to ensure we support local education and environmental conservation initiatives,” says Del Monte Kenya Welfare, Diversity and Human Rights Manager Jane Nyambura.

As Thika Town continues to tell the good story of pineapples, thousands of families locally and from across the country are benefitting directly and indirectly from Del Monte Kenya activities; at the farms, factories, schools and hospitals. It’s a story many want to remain part of.