Women, youths in 11 counties to benefit from entrepreneurial initiatives

Vulnerable women and youths from economically disadvantaged counties are poised to benefit from community-based entrepreneurial initiatives by various partners.

The entrepreneurial projects, according to the partners, include value addition to the local agricultural and fashion art and textile items produced by the underprivileged women and the youths.

This emerged on Thursday during the launch of Carole Kinoti Foundation (CKF) in Nairobi, an event that saw different organisations from the corporate sector and social space formalise their partnership towards achieving the noble course of empowering communities.

Some of the organisations that partnered with the foundation include Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa), Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Manji Foundation and companies including Safaricom and Cup of Joe. 

"The vision to reach more vulnerable women and youths across the country to empower them economically and socially majorly contributed to structuring this initiative (CKF)," said CKF founder Carole Kinoti.

She encouraged Kenyans to "support the locally manufactured products by purchasing items like clothes and other leather products which will in turn empower the communities while promoting our culture."

So far, CKF has reached 11 counties impacting women and youths growing cotton in Busia and Kwale counties, livestock farming cooperatives in Laikipia and Samburu counties as well as fashion artisans in Kajiado county.

Other counties that are benefiting from the initiatives include Baringo, Lamu and Turkana among others.

Samburu West MP Naisula Lesuuda lauded the initiatives saying they have been instrumental in efforts to alleviate poverty.

Lesuuda urged women to seize the opportunities to empower their families and educate their children towards achieving self-reliance.

"As women we must take responsibility and engage in activities that are economically viable in order to defeat poverty," she said.

Kepsa Chief Executive Officer Carole Kariuki promised to champion sustainable community development policies that support women and youth empowerment.

"Women play a vital role in our economy but they often face barriers that hold them back," she said, adding that women significantly contribute to the economic growth of the country with about 70 per cent holding small-hold agricultural farms.

Cup of Joe Marketing Manager Lucy Wairimu said partnerships will focus on impactful initiatives promoting entrepreneurship development programmes designed to empower women with critical business skills, seed capital and access to lending networks.

"The partnerships will provide opportunities for value analysis programmes, train women in eco-friendly product creation and open new markets and encourage sustainable livelihoods," she said.