Sustainable agriculture | Conservation | Community empowerment

Teddy Katono

I work with vulnerable communities across Kenya to restore land, strengthen food security, and build practical climate resilience from Lake Victoria to Kilifi's coastal settlements.

Practical climate resilience, rooted in community.

My name is Teddy Katono, and I am a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture, environmental conservation, and community empowerment. Since 2017, I have dedicated my career to addressing food insecurity and climate resilience in vulnerable communities across Kenya.

My work bridges environmental restoration and human well-being. The goal is not only survival in the face of climate change, but thriving communities with greener schools, stronger local livelihoods, and households that can grow nutritious food in difficult conditions.

16,570+seedlings planted in schools through Mbita youth-led environmental work.
20,000+indigenous trees planted during Misango Hills restoration.
125coastal farmers directly trained in climate-smart kitchen gardening.
500+households reached as trained farmers share sack and container gardening.

Professional journey and impact

Seven years of work across western Kenya, Lake Victoria communities, and Kilifi's coastal region.

2018 to present

Mbita Environmental Network and YxY Mbita Glocal Hub

As a co-founder, I have worked with fellow youth to combat deforestation and pollution around Lake Victoria. Together we established tree nurseries, planted seedlings in schools, and taught sustainable skills such as landscaping and art to youth and children.

2018 to 2020

Grassroots action on Rusinga Island

I mobilized youth to plant 2,400 seedlings in schools and introduced gabions to prevent soil erosion, showing how local organizing can protect soil, water, and school environments.

2020 to 2022

Misango Hills reforestation

While working with Sustainable Organic Farming Development Initiatives, I collaborated with local farmers and the Misango Hills Forest Association to restore degraded land and support alternative livelihoods through agroforestry and fruit tree nurseries.

2023 to present

Permaculture Lead at Oceans Alive Foundation

We train coastal fishing communities in climate-smart kitchen gardening using recycled sacks and plastic containers, helping families grow nutrient-rich vegetables despite limited space and poor soils.

Teddy Katono guiding a group through a green kitchen garden.
Kitchen garden and permaculture training with community visitors.
People walking through a dense community garden with recycled planters.
Community members observing a practical garden demonstration.

What the work makes possible

Small, replicable interventions become community-owned systems when people can adapt them to their own land, homes, schools, and livelihoods.

Food security at home

Sack gardens and container systems let families harvest vegetables in areas with limited space, poor soils, and climate pressure.

Restored landscapes

Tree planting, school greening, nurseries, and agroforestry turn degraded spaces into assets for learning, shade, biodiversity, and income.

Youth-led stewardship

Young people become organizers, educators, artists, and climate practitioners who shape healthier local environments.