Our Story
Made by Kenyan women, for Kenyan families.
20 years ago, Cherubet Foods began as a solution for working mothers. Today, we provide wholesome, nutritious food options through innovative methods to thousands of people countrywide.
The founder's letter
Feeding a family is an act of love.
I started Cherubet Foods from a place of personal need. I wanted to make it easier for families to enjoy the nutritious, wholesome foods we all grew up with.
In 2007, I worked as a civil servant and, like many working mothers, I would come home in the evenings and prepare meals for my family. I knew there had to be a better way to enjoy the foods we love without spending hours preparing them.
That idea became Cherubet Foods.
I began by preparing and selling ready-to-eat frozen grains and beans. With little more than a borrowed cooler and samples of my products, I walked into the biggest supermarket at the time and asked for an opportunity to put Cherubet on the shelves. That first opportunity became the beginning of a journey that has grown far beyond what I imagined.
I named the company after my mother, Cherubet. She was a hardworking and resilient woman who farmed to provide for her family. Watching her taught me that food is about much more than nourishment, it is about care, dignity, opportunity and building a better future.
Today, Cherubet Foods is my way of carrying that legacy forward. We work with farmers and communities to bring nutritious Kenyan foods to more people, while making them easier and more convenient to prepare. We are particularly passionate about beans and other traditional foods that are naturally rich in nutrients but are often overlooked or time-consuming to prepare.
As we have grown, so has our purpose. Cherubet is not only about making food convenient. It is about creating opportunities for farmers, women and young people while helping Kenyan families eat well.
Everything we make is inspired by the same belief that started it all: good food should be nutritious, accessible and convenient and it should never have to come at the expense of our traditions.
Mary Cherop, Founder & CEO
Mary Cherop is the Founder and CEO of Cherubet Foods Company Limited, a Kenyan food innovator pioneering convenient, nutritious food solutions from locally grown crops. Through innovation, she is creating healthier food choices while expanding economic opportunities for women and smallholder farmers. A passionate entrepreneur and advocate for women’s economic empowerment, Mary inspires others through her resilience, innovation, and unwavering belief that when women thrive, communities prosper.
Timeline
Twenty years, one mission.
2016
The kitchen table
Cherubet begins as a small home kitchen in Ruiru, cooking traditional meals for busy neighbours.
2018
First farm partners
We sign long-term contracts with 40 smallholder farmers across Kiambu and Nakuru.
2020
Ruiru facility opens
A modern food-processing kitchen, designed by women, powered by 60% renewable electricity.
2022
Nationwide retail
Cherubet lands on shelves across Naivas, Carrefour and Quickmart supermarkets.
2024
320 farmers, 140 jobs
We reach a milestone, supporting 320 farmers and directly employing 140 Kenyans.
2026
Feeding the future
New products, home delivery in Nairobi, and expansion into East Africa.
Our promise
"Everything we make is inspired by the same belief that started it all: good food should be nutritious, accessible and convenient and it should never come at the expense of our traditions."
Mary Cherop, Founder and CEO, Cherubet Foods
Media
Press & articles.
Announcements from Cherubet Foods, alongside articles written by our team on nutrition, farming partnerships and the work of making traditional Kenyan food convenient.
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