Agricultural Society Of Kenya

What Agricultural Society Of Kenya does

The Agricultural Society of Kenya (A.S.K) is a private, membership-based agricultural exhibition society founded in 1901 in Nairobi as the East African Agricultural and Horticultural Society. It operates a network of 16 annual shows across Kenya, ranging from the flagship Nairobi International Trade Fair (NITF) and the Mombasa International Show to 14 National and Regional/Branch shows, reaching approximately 838,457 visitors and 1,694 exhibitors from 35+ countries each year. Core assets include the Jamhuri Park Showground in Nairobi and the Mkomani Showground in Mombasa, with the former undergoing a master-plan rollout that has added a 6,000-seat Exposition & Conferencing Centre, 400+ indoor exhibition stands, and 2,000+ outdoor stands totaling 27,800 square meters of gross exhibition space.

The society generates revenue through three primary streams: exhibition and trade-fair fees (booth rentals, USD 150/m2 for international exhibitors at Mombasa), recurring membership subscriptions across tiered badges (Executive Ksh 8,500, Full Ksh 3,000, Single Ksh 2,000, YFCK Ksh 400), and facility hire of the Jamhuri Park complex for conferences and commercial tenancy. Distribution is delivered through 16 physical branch offices, supplemented by a self-serve online ticketing platform (tickets.ask.co.ke) and membership portal. Sub-brands include the Young Farmers Clubs of Kenya (YFCK), the Kenya Ploughing Organization (KPO), and the Kenya Farmer Journal (KFM) publication. The society operates under the patronage of the President of Kenya and is governed by a National Council, with Batram M. Muthoka serving as CEO and John Kibira as National Chairperson.

Name

Agricultural Society Of Kenya

Legal name

Agricultural Society Of Kenya

Website

https://ask.co.ke

Company type

Private

Founded year

1901

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The Agricultural Society of Kenya is a private, membership-based agricultural exhibition society founded in 1901 that operates 16 annual trade fairs across Kenya, reaching over 838,000 visitors and 1,694 exhibitors from 35+ countries through its Jamhuri Park and branch showgrounds.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Agricultural Exhibition Services

NAICS

Convention and Trade Show Organizers (561920), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192), Business Associations (813910)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAHABAM

Agriculture, Farming & AgriTech Shows Organizers

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Exhibition & Trade Show Organizers

SECONDARYTHAHACAA

Association & Society Conference Management (Nonprofit, Professional Bodies)

Travel & Hospitality/MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions)/Professional Conference Organizers (PCOs) & Meeting Planners

Keywords

• Agricultural exhibitions
• Trade fair organization
• Membership programs
• Event venue management
• Agricultural shows

Headquarters

HQ city

Nairobi

HQ country

Kenya

HQ region

Africa

Offices15 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Exhibition and Trade Fair Fees: Revenue from exhibitor booth rentals, trade stand fees, and participation charges across 16 annual shows. Fees vary by location, booth size, and exhibitor type (local vs international).
2. Membership Subscriptions: Annual membership badges and subscriptions providing access to all shows, member enclosures, and parking privileges. Categories include Executive (Ksh 8,500), Full (Ksh 3,000), Single (Ksh 2,000), YFCK (Ksh 400), and KPO members.
3. Facility Hire and Tenancy: Revenue from hiring out exposition halls, meeting rooms, and office spaces at showgrounds. The Jamhuri Park complex offers conferencing facilities, exhibition halls, and commercial office/retail tenancy opportunities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

ASK organizes and hosts 16 annual agricultural shows, exhibitions, and trade fairs across Kenya, including the Nairobi International Trade Fair and the Mombasa International Show. The Society also operates the A.S.K Membership Program with multiple subscription tiers, provides facility hire services at the Jamhuri Park Exposition & Conference Centre, and runs outreach units including the Young Farmers Clubs of Kenya (YFCK) and the Kenya Ploughing Organization (KPO).

Product overview

Agricultural Society of Kenya (A.S.K) operates as a premier exhibition and trade fair organization offering a platform for agricultural and trade information dissemination across Kenya. The core offering consists of 16 annual exhibitions spanning International Shows (Nairobi International Trade Fair and Mombasa International Show), National Shows (Eldoret, Nakuru, Kitale, Meru, Machakos, Kisumu, Nyeri), and Regional/Branch Shows (Kisii, Embu, Nanyuki, Kakamega, Kabarnet, Migori, Garissa, Bungoma). Supporting services include the A.S.K Membership Program with various tiers (Full, Single, Executive), the Kenya Farmer Journal (KFM) publication, Young Farmers Clubs of Kenya (Y.F.C.K) youth outreach, Kenya Ploughing Organization (K.P.O) mechanization unit, and the Jamhuri Park Exposition & Conference Centre for conferencing and events. Online services include a ticketing platform and membership portal for digital access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Nairobi International Trade Fair (N.I.T.F) The premier annual exhibition event hosted at Jamhuri Park Showground in Nairobi, running for seven days from late September to early October. It is the largest Trade Fair in the East African Region, attracting over 500 exhibitors and featuring indoor/outdoor exhibition stands, livestock shows, agri-tech showcases, and conferencing facilities.
• Mombasa International Show (M.I.S) An international-status agricultural and trade exhibition held at Mkomani Showground on the North Coast of Mombasa. The show attracts investors and players in agriculture, trade, and tourism sectors from around the globe.
• Nakuru National Agricultural Show The third branch of the Agricultural Society of Kenya, held at Nakuru Showground near Nakuru town. Known as a premier National Agricultural Show due to its proximity to Egerton University and the highest percentage of Kenya's large-scale farmers.
• Eldoret National Show National agricultural show held at Eldoret Showground along the Kisumu Road. Serves the Uasin Gishu region and surrounding agricultural communities.
• Kitale National Show (North Rift) National show held at the North Rift National Showground along the Eldoret-Kitale highway. Covers Trans Nzoia, West Pokot, and Turkana counties, known for maize, wheat, and agricultural production.
• Central Kenya National Show (Nyeri) National show catering for Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, Murang'a, and Kiambu counties. Held at Kabiruini Showground along the Nyeri-Nyahururu road.
• Meru National Show National show located along the Meru-Nanyuki road, catering for Meru, Tharaka Nithi, and Isiolo counties, known for tea, coffee, dairy, and horticultural production.
• Machakos National Show (South-Eastern Kenya) National show located 2.8 km from Machakos town, catering for Machakos, Makueni, and Kitui counties, known for dairy farming, poultry, horticulture, and floriculture.
• Kisumu National Show National show held at Mamboleo Showground, attracting exhibitors and visitors from Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda.
• Kakamega Show Regional show located 2 km from Kakamega town, catering for Kakamega, Busia, Vihiga, and Bungoma counties, known for sugarcane, maize, tea, poultry, and dairy farming.
• Mt. Kenya (Nanyuki) Show Regional show bordering Samburu, Baringo, and Isiolo counties. Region home to some of the largest beef ranches in Kenya, with dairy farming, horticulture, wheat, and floriculture.
• Embu Show (Eastern Kenya) Regional show catering for Embu, Kirinyaga, and Tharaka Nithi counties, known as the 'rain-catchment' and fertile highlands of Eastern Kenya.
• Kabarnet Branch Show Branch show catering for Turkana, West Pokot, Kericho, Samburu, and Elgeyo Marakwet counties.
• Migori Branch Show Branch show held at Lichota Showground next to the airstrip, with 35 acres allocated by the county government.
• Kisii Show (Southern Kenya) Branch show located in Kisii town center, catering for Kisii, Nyamira, Narok, and Homabay counties, home to major players in the Tea Industry.
• Garissa Show (North Eastern Kenya) Branch show located 1.2 km from Garissa town, catering for Garissa, Mandera, and Tana River counties.
• A.S.K Membership Program An integrated membership program providing membership badges with varying privileges including access to all shows, member enclosures, parking, and voting rights. Categories include Full Member (Ksh 3,000 annually), Single Member (Ksh 2,000 annually), Executive Member (Ksh 8,500 annually), Y.F.C.K (Ksh 400 annually), K.P.O, and Armed Forces.
• Jamhuri Park Exposition & Conference Centre A modern conference and M.I.C.E facility at the Nairobi showground with a capacity of 6,000 seated guests and a 10-metre stage. Houses over 400 indoor exhibition stands with a clear floor area of 3,456m2, modern kitchen, floating VIP lounge, and three conference facilities. Available for hire for expositions, conferences, and events.
• Kenya Farmer Journal (KFM) The official publication of the Agricultural Society of Kenya providing agricultural and trade information to members and stakeholders. Available as a printed magazine and in digital formats.
• Online Ticketing Platform Online ticket purchasing system accessible at tickets.ask.co.ke, allowing advance purchase of entry tickets for exhibitions and shows.

Named customers8 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Nairobi Women's HospitalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2021Partnered with ASK during Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2021 to provide free breast and cervix examinations at Jamhuri Park.
• Texas Cancer CentreminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2021Partnered with ASK during Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2021 to provide cancer screening services and financial assistance information.
• Faraja Cancer SupportminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 October 2021Partnered with ASK during Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2021 as panelist providing cancer financial assistance information.
• Safaricom LtdminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 October 2021Supported ASK Breast Cancer Awareness Month 2021 forum financially and through communications support.
• Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1901KALRO partners with ASK as a sponsor and exhibitor, promoting agricultural research, innovations, and technologies through the exhibition platform. The partnership supports dissemination of research outputs to farmers and stakeholders.
• University of NairobicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1901University of Nairobi partners as sponsor and exhibitor, showcasing academic research, innovations, and educational programs in agriculture and related fields at ASK events.
• Co-operative Bank of KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1901Co-operative Bank partners with ASK providing financial services sponsorship and exhibiting banking solutions tailored for agricultural businesses and SMEs.
• Kenya Power and Lighting CompanycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1901KPLC sponsors ASK events and showcases energy solutions, particularly those supporting agricultural operations and rural electrification.
• Egerton UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1901Egerton University partners as sponsor and exhibitor, promoting agricultural education, research, and innovation. Hosted the 52nd World Ploughing Contest in 1995.
• Kenya Tea Development AgencycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1901KTDA sponsors ASK events and showcases tea industry innovations, supporting the agricultural exhibition with focus on Kenya's tea sector.
• National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF)coreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1901NHIF partners with ASK, including participation in Breast Cancer Awareness Month forums at Jamhuri Park in 2021.
• Agriculture and Food AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1901AFA partners with ASK as a sponsor, regulatory exhibitor, and supporter of agricultural policy dissemination through exhibitions.
• Kenya Ports AuthoritycoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1901KPA sponsors ASK events, showcasing port services and logistics solutions relevant to agricultural import/export businesses.
• Kenya Forest ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1901Kenya Forest Service partners as exhibitor promoting environmental conservation and agroforestry practices.
• Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and TechnologyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1901JKUAT sponsors and exhibits at ASK events, promoting agricultural technology and innovation from the university.
• Competition Authority of KenyaminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 1901CAK sponsors ASK events, showcasing competition regulation and consumer protection in agricultural markets.
• Kenya Seed CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1901Kenya Seed Company sponsors ASK events, showcasing improved seed varieties and supporting agricultural productivity.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Hannover Messe: A major global industrial and technology trade fair organizer. Comparable as a broad incumbent running large-scale exhibition venues and competing for industrial exhibitors that also participate at ASK's Nairobi International Trade Fair.
• Messe Frankfurt: Global trade fair and exhibition organizer with food and agricultural trade fair verticals. Comparable as a broad incumbent operating exhibition venues and trade shows that compete for international exhibitor spend alongside ASK's Nairobi International Trade Fair.
• VNU Exhibitions Asia: Organizer of major agricultural and livestock trade fairs (e.g., ILDEX, AgriTech) across Asia. Comparable because it operates in the same agriculture-focused exhibition niche with a similar revenue model of booth rentals and exhibitor services.
• Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth: An umbrella body of national agricultural societies including ASK. Comparable because ASK hosted the RASC Conference in 1969 and shares the same membership-based agricultural exhibition mission across Commonwealth countries.

Regional players

• Dar es Salaam International Trade Fair (Saba Saba): Tanzania's flagship international trade fair. Comparable as a regional East African competitor targeting the same international exhibitor pool that ASK courts for the Nairobi International Trade Fair.
• Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC): Nairobi's flagship conference and exhibition venue. Comparable as a competing regional M.I.C.E. venue operator offering conferencing and exhibition space that overlaps with ASK's Jamhuri Park Exposition & Conference Centre.

Emerging players

• African Agri Expo: Emerging pan-African agriculture exhibition organizer. Comparable because it targets the same agribusiness exhibitor base ASK serves, but operates across multiple African markets rather than concentrating in Kenya.

Direct peers

• Royal Agricultural Society of England: A membership-based agricultural society organizing flagship shows (e.g., the Royal Show) and exhibitions. Highly comparable given parallel heritage-style branding, member governance, and agricultural exhibition focus.
• South African Agricultural Show / Royal Agricultural Society of South Africa: South African membership-based agricultural society running shows comparable to ASK's events. Similar model combining livestock judging, agricultural exhibitions, trade fairs, and member subscriptions across an African market.

Others

• Egerton University (Njoro): Long-standing partner of ASK that hosted the 52nd World Ploughing Contest in 1995. Comparable as an agricultural ecosystem participant and strategic sponsor whose research and educational programming complements ASK's exhibition platform.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/agrisocietyofke
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AgriculturalSocietyofKenya
• Facebookfacebook.com/agriculturalsocietyofke
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agricultural-society-ofkenya
• Instagraminstagram.com/agriculturalsocietyofkenya

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Agricultural Society Of Kenya