Smallholder farmers play a pivotal role in sustaining Kenya’s agrifood systems through producing food crops. Despite the agricultural sector’s economic significance, over 95% of farming is rain-fed and susceptible to seasonal rainfall patterns and climate change. Agroecology as an approach to farming is gradually being embraced in Kenya as a form of sustainable agriculture that can withstand the intensifying impacts of climate change especially for the vulnerable smallholder farmers. However, adoption has been slow as the country lacks a clear policy framework that could support its rollout. This paper seeks to assess the current levels of adoption of agroecological practices among smallholder farmers in Kenya by examining the barriers, knowledge, and awareness gaps, and socio-economic impacts. The study sampled 200 smallholder farmers from Bomet, Bungoma, Isiolo, Kiambu and Kilifi Counties using qualitative methods involving surveys and interviews. The findings indicate that 56% of study participants do not hold positive perceptions on agroecology, while only 50% have experienced positive impacts on their personal income and soil health from practising agroecological principles such as crop diversification, organic farming, and agroforestry. Some of the barriers hindering adoption include resistance to change, access to land and capital, and climate vulnerability. The findings illustrate the importance for stakeholders to enhance access to training and hands-on capacity building programs for smallholder farmers, accelerate land reforms to enhance access and ownership, and improve access to markets for organic foods.