Skip to Content

Our Story

From Crisis to Calling: The Journey of Joycil Foods

Joycil Foods was born in 2020, in the heart of a global crisis. As the world slowed down during the COVID-19 pandemic and uncertainty loomed, our founder, Zilpah Khasiro Wamalwa, found herself asking a hard question: “If I lost my job today, what next?” That question sparked a deeper reflection about purpose, resilience, and self-reliance.

Rooted in faith and inspired by the story of Joseph in the Bible—a man who turned crisis into preparation - Zilpah felt stirred to act. She didn’t have a formal business background, but she had heart, vision, and a growing conviction that solutions could begin right at home. She opened her eyes to the everyday realities around her and saw potential in the growing need of reliable and healthy food options in Kenyan households. That’s when she took a bold step and registered Joycil Enterprise on August 8, 2020.

Starting with small-batch production of roasted peanuts, cassava flour, and millet flour, she began to run the business herself - sourcing, packaging, marketing and delivering orders. With no team, exact roadmap, or guarantee it would work , every small step was powered by determination . What began as a survival idea soon started to take root, fueled by passion for healthy living and a love for the nutritional richness of Kenyan foods.



A Digital Turning Point

In August 2023, Zilpah’s business took a new turn when she was selected for the E-Biz Kwa Vijana digital marketing training hosted by Brighter Monday, in collaboration with USAID and the eTrade Alliance. Over the course of three months, she was equipped with digital skills that helped her bring Joycil online - expanding to platforms like Jumia, Facebook, Instagram, and later on, LinkedIn and TikTok.

The training didn't just teach skills; it reshaped the vision - it was a catalyst. Plans soon followed to expand into other high-nutrition products like mushrooms and cashew nuts.


Small Beginning Echoes on A Global Stage

Her story gained global attention when she was invited to speak as a panelist at the 9th Global Review of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, sharing how digital transformation is empowering small businesses to grow and export. That surreal moment—standing on a world stage -  affirmed she was walking in purpose.

In December 2024, Joycil formally transitioned from a sole proprietorship into a registered limited company: Joycil Foods (KE) Ltd. This move not only marked a significant milestone in the business's growth but also positioned Joycil for long-term stability and expansion. As a limited company, Joycil now operates with a stronger legal structure that ensures business continuity beyond the founder. The transition also unlocked new opportunities for tax efficiency, strategic hiring, and access to larger markets and partnerships—laying the groundwork for sustainable growth and greater impact across Kenya and beyond.


                            

What We Stand For

At Joycil Foods, we believe that healthy food is more than just fuel - it’s connection, culture and community. Our mission is deeply personal and proudly Kenyan, creating opportunities across the value chain. We aim to :

  • ✔ To impact lives through purpose-driven entrepreneurship

  • ✔ To create opportunities in agriculture and food processing

  • ✔ To promote food security with locally sourced, nutrient-rich staples

  • ✔ To encourage healthy living with organic, wholesome choices

Our growing customer base is not  just buying products - they’re joining a movement toward conscious, healthy and community-centered living.


Our Motto

“Always Wholesome. Always Organic.”

Meet Our Founder

Zilpah Khasiro Wamalwa is a woman of vision, grit  and faith. An accountant by profession and an agripreneur by calling, she is passionate about sustainable food systems, youth empowerment  and digital inclusion. She believes that true change doesn’t wait - it starts with a small seed in the hands of those bold enough to try.