Reclaiming Our Roots: The Story of Umai Africa Herbal Festival – Season 1 (April 2025)

The Spark

The Umai Africa Herbal Festival (Herb Fest) is the signature initiative of the Umai Herbal Foundation, presented with Umai Naturals – a leader in herbal wellness in Kenya and East Africa. Herb Fest was inspired by personal experience: Kui Anne, founder and CEO of Umai Naturals, used indigenous herbs to help her mother and aunt overcome diabetes and restore their health. These experiences led Kui to ask, “Why not create a space for others to explore ancestral healing?” Herb Fest answers that call by inviting all to reconnect with nature’s pharmacy and benefit from African herbal wisdom.

The Founder

Kui Anne is a dynamic Kenyan entrepreneur; she confidently identifies herself as The Herbal Revivalist. She is the pioneering founder and CEO of Umai Naturals, a leading herbal brand in the East African region. Her plant-based revivalist energy is deeply devoted to restoring Africa’s indigenous healing knowledge and reconnecting communities to nature’s original medicine. Her journey started when she successfully supported her mother’s healing from diabetes through herbal medicine – an experience that changed her personal conviction into a public mission. Driven by her love for natural living, plant-based nourishment, and Ital African vegan meals, Kui conceived the idea of the Herbal Festival as a unique platform to showcase the authentic approaches to healing through herbs while celebrating traditional African foods and lifestyle practices. Through Umai Herbal Foundation, she empowers communities – especially in Kenya – by educating, creating market access for herbal practitioners, and facilitating sustainable herbal trade. She advocates for cultural safeguarding, community wellness, and connecting traditional wisdom with present-day wellness practices. Her leadership has caused considerable impact, reviving fading heritage and positioning African herbal knowledge on an international platform.

Birth of the Umai Africa Herbal Festival (Herb Fest)

From a simple kitchen conversation, the recount of our traditions has metamorphosed into a festival with a clear vision. It is clearer that communities are abandoning traditions that kept our grandparents healthy. It is concerning that communities are losing touch with the indigenous plant knowledge that our ancestors passed on to keep future generations healthy. That future is now – the ignorance is higher and diseases have never been as stubborn. Out of the abandonment of traditions and herbal talents, modern diseases, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and excess weight, continue to rise. The festival recreates our backgrounds where elders held the stories, farmers held the keys to wellness, and dedicated herbalists had beautiful remedies. The Herb Fest is all about creating a platform, visibility, and an interactive space where we can revert to our ways. Season 1 was created to bridge that gap. Umai Naturals organised and fully funded the event, with early partners including Tree Tremendous, Thigira Cultural Village, and Bamboo vendors. Its core goals were both practical and soulful:

1. Conservation of indigenous herbs
2. Knowledge sharing & capacity building
3. Market access for herbalists
4. Cultural preservation
5. Research & evidence sharing
6. Teaching proper nourishment and the natural reversal of illness

The Herb Fest S1 – A Day to Remember

April 2025 began with celebration and excitement – a day to learn about herbs and demonstrate  their different uses. Children were also invited; they played traditional drums, their rhythms bringing back to life a deeper connection to our roots. Kui greeted the crowd with a strong speech, reminding everyone that herbs are not just an alternative – they are real medicine. The highlight of the day was the launch of her book, “African Herbal Remedies.” During a moving moment, a participant who had suffered from chronic pain stood up, jumped with ease, and shared how herbs had changed her life. The crowd responded with cheers, tears, and spontaneous dancing to African music. Tree Tremendous led a sage-cleansing ritual that helped everyone relax and feel more open. Breathing exercises helped ground the group. “The audience was cool and responsive; they seemed to want more and more.” The day’s activities ran smoothly. Children painted pictures of medicinal plants and played drums with joy. Adults took part in herb-identification walks led by MC Angel, listened to stories, and joined nature walks that showed them healing trees and bushes growing nearby. More than 400 people spent the day exploring with curiosity.

Knowledge & Nourishment

The panels became the beating heart of the festival. Abasa’s practical wisdom and Zippy’s energetic presence generated the most questions and engagement.

1. Ras Abasa (Holistic Healer) – captivated with grounded, spiritual teachings on gut healing, One Meal A Day (OMAD), eating before sunset, and mindful diet
2. Wellness Coach Zippy – inspired with lively, interactive sessions on full-body detox, proper nourishment, and the use of herbs to support the whole body
3. Kui Anne – shared her family’s healing journeys and urged everyone to know and use at least two or three local herbs daily
4. Powerful testimonials from the guests – including from Kui’s aunt and mother – brought living proof.

Food was medicine served with love.

The meal sequence began with breakfast, featuring herbal tea combos of prunus, holy basil, hibiscus, ginger, chamomile, green tea, and sage, served alongside spring water. Sweet dates and plantains were offered as snacks. Welcome drinks followed, including refreshing coconut water (madafu) and ginger-turmeric-gotukola-infused sugarcane juice. Lunch then showcased traditional African vegan dishes, comprising wild vegetables (terere, managu, sagga, mrenda, blackjack), matoke, peanut stew, shiro, lentils, wild oats, and teff (including teff chapo), all prepared without added salt to let natural flavors shine. Peanut stew and the herbal sugarcane juice were especially popular, with many guests returning for seconds. All meals were completely vegan, and children’s portions as well as allergy-friendly options were thoughtfully available.

A Living Classroom and Thriving Business Space

The event was primarily a platform for participants to learn about African herbal medicines. Herbalists from different cultural backgrounds exhibited their products on dedicated spaces where participants could walk to and ask questions. The vendors were hosted in dedicated, beautifully presented tables that turned the space into a living classroom. They showcased natural medicines, oils, remedies, and products and demonstrated their use for the guests. Standouts included Tree Tremendous’ sage and smoking-herb displays, Umai Naturals’ signature detox blends, Thigira Cultural Village offerings, and bamboo items. Live demonstrations, cleansing rituals, and herbal tastings kept energy high. Vendors reported strong sales and new connections that have benefited their herbal ventures to date. The marketplace buzzed – people did not just buy; they learned, inquired, and carried knowledge home.

Seeds of Transformation

Season 1 was intimate yet powerful. The real magic showed in what followed. Awareness spread far beyond the day. Social media reach skyrocketed and trust in natural healing grew visibly. Today, participants approach herbs not as an alternative but real medicine.

1. Detox programmes surged to 690 active clients with over 1,000 documented success stories of reversed conditions and healthy weight loss
2. New herbal gardens were planted at Sunrise of Africa School in Kitengela, Wendo Youth Camp (Bahati, Nakuru County), and with Visoi Retired Teachers (Rongai, Nakuru County).
3. Partnerships formed with schools, churches, and retreat centres for tree planting and herbal education.
4. The Umai Herbal Foundation was born and Herbal Remedies 101 training programmes launched.

From the Founder’s Heart

“Umai Herb Fest Season 1 reconnected us to our herbal roots. Herbs are the original medicine, designed by nature to heal gently. Most diseases plaguing our communities are reversible with the right knowledge, intention, and guidance.
To our ancestors, farmers, healers, and the children learning to heal with nature – thank you.
To every attendee, family, herbalist, farmer, vendor, volunteer, and especially the Sunrise of Africa School team in Kitengela – your energy made Season 1 truly magical.
Season 2 will be even bigger. Let us keep this flame burning.”

Dedication

To the elders and knowledge keepers who preserved traditional wisdom to keep us healthy and nourished – we are grateful.

A New Chapter Begins

The Umai Africa Herbal Festival was never just an event. It was a living conversation – practical and soulful, economic and cultural – proving that when we return to our roots with respect and intention, healing, joy, and community naturally bloom again.

The gardens are growing. The knowledge is spreading.

And the story? It is only just beginning.

Ready for Season 2? The earth is waiting.