1000 women trained in Ushanga initiative

Loitoktok,

Friday, December 15, 2023

KNA by KNA Kimani Tirus

About 1000 women in Kajiado have been trained on modern beading through Ushanga initiative program courtesy of Ushanga Kenya Initiative(UKI) and the Kajiado County government.

During the launch of Ushanga initiative market projects at Marlal area, Loitoktok Sub County, Kajiado County CECM in charge of Gender, Culture, Cooperatives, Tourism and Wildlife, Janet Sereu said the women have been trained on modern ways of making beads products hence empowering them economically.

Sereu further noted in conjunction with UKI, the Kajiado County government has also trained 40 trainers of trainees (TOTs), 8 from each of the five wards in the county who will be training other women.

The CECM Gender further noted that each trainer is expected to train 5 women adding that the county government will fast-track registration of women Ushanga Initiative cooperative in every ward.

"Apart from training and establishment of cooperatives, last year we took some women for an Expo in Dubai to sell Ushanga products," added Sereu.

On challenges facing the women, the CECM attributed to lack of knowledge on modern beading, markets for their products, lack of knowledge on online marketing and middlemen as the main challenges they are facing.

To address some of these challenges, she said the county government intends to construct Ushanga shades across the county where prospective buyers can access easily the products.

Sereu also noted they are training the women on online marketing and fast-tracking digitization of the sale of bead products which will help in eliminating middlemen.

National Coordinator, UKI, Dorothy Mashipei appreciated the Kenya Wildlife Service and Chyulu Hills REDD+ program for funds to establish four markets for beads products in Loitoktok for Sh110 million.

She also thanked the four group ranches in Loitoktok for donating 25 acres of land on which the markets will be constructed.

On Thursday Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Aisha Jumwa launched the Sh 110 million Ushanga initiative market projects.

Courtesy; KNA