Culture, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary (CS) Hanna Cheptumo has revealed that the National Government plans to establish a Sh100 million beadwork hub in Baringo County to empower local women.
Cheptumo who spoke when she officially opened a week-long training of 100 women on beadwork at Kabarnet social hall stated that her office was collaborating with the Baringo County administration to identify a suitable site for the essential structure, which will be crucial for their production, trainings as well as cultural preservation.
The CS commended Governor Benjamin Cheboi for agreeing to support the flagship project which will benefit women from across the six constituencies and neighbouring counties.
Cheptumo who was flanked by deputy governor Eng. Felix Kimaiyo and Baringo Central deputy county commissioner Henry Tiya said the state department of ICT has also pledged to support the facility with internet connectivity once it is complete so that it can support the women artisans in terms of market linkages.
“The hub will serve as a strategic place for local and foreign visitors to sample our unique handcrafted cultural products and we would have achieved improved livelihoods,” she said.
The culture CS encouraged women to continue with their beadwork so that when the facility is complete, they have enough stock at their disposal.
Cheptumo at the same time urged women to take advantage of the training by the Ushanga Initiative Kenya, noting that it will equip them with modern products development skills suitable for local and international markets.
On his part, the deputy governor said the hub will be crucial for the women from the county who for the longest time have been challenged in getting a tailor-made space to sell their beadworks.
Kimaiyo stated that the establishment of the Ushanga hub has come at the right time because the county is awaiting approval to be included as one of the UNESCO Global Geoparks destination by the end of this year hence it will help a great deal in showcasing the diverse cultures within the region.
He maintained that the county administration is fully supporting the project which he said demonstrates the bottom up transformation agenda since women will be able to sustain themselves while promoting the economy of the county.
Kimaiyo called for more members to register themselves with cooperative societies so that they can receive adequate support from both levels of governments and other non-state actors.
By Benson Kelio
