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Turkana women awarded business/peace building grants

More than 220 women traders from cross-border villages in Turkana West and Loima Sub-Counties have been awarded a Sh4 million grant to enhance their businesses and promote peace along the Kenya-Uganda and Kenya-South Sudan borders.

The grant, facilitated by Lotus Kenya Action for Development Organization (Lokado) funded by the German development ministry (BMZ) through a Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH) led program in Turkana, aims to empower women economically while integrating peacebuilding into their trade activities.

Each beneficiary will receive Sh18,000, which is expected to strengthen their business ventures and foster peaceful interactions in these historically conflict-prone regions.

Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony at the Moru Atanayece Festival 2024 in Letea, Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai praised the initiative for its dual focus on economic growth and conflict resolution.

“These grants go beyond business. They empower women to become peacebuilders in communities affected by cross-border tensions,” the Governor stated.

Lokado’s Executive Director Augustine Kai Lope and Robert Ewoton of WHH presented a symbolic cheque to the Governor, marking the official release of the funds.

 Ewoton emphasized that the program is a unique blend of economic empowerment and sustainable peace promotion.

“This approach integrates business and peacebuilding, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among border communities,” said Ewoton.

The initiative also extends to cross-border communities in Uganda, with Kai Lope and Ewoton expressing confidence in its success due to its inclusive and participatory nature.

Ahead of the grant disbursement, beneficiaries underwent rigorous business skills training to ensure the funds are effectively utilized.

Concepta Longorio, a trader from Lokiriama, shared her excitement, noting that many recipients are already engaged in business and belong to village-level savings and loan associations (VSLAs).

 Another beneficiary, Pamela Ekomwa from Urum in Loima lauded Lokado for tapping into women for peace promotion by ensuring that peace building discussions formed a critical part of the VSLA meetings. She added that the women were ready to engage their counterparts from across the borders to embrace similar approaches.

“The training focused on essential aspects of business growth and management, preparing us to use these funds effectively. The cash injection will expand our businesses and improve our livelihoods,” Ekai said.

The program aligns with Lokado’s broader efforts to promote livelihood diversification.

One month ago, Lokado supported 100 reformed warriors with cash grants for business, aiming to reduce dependency on livestock, a common source of cross-border conflict due to resource competition.

The new grant effectively increases the beneficiaries to three hundred and twenty-three for both women and men across the cross border sub counties of Loima, Lokiriama and Turkana West.

Augustine Kai highlighted that beneficiaries will be monitored over the next six months to assess the impact of the grants.

“We have put measures into place to further support those who demonstrate effective use of the disbursed funds. Our plan is to create a platform through which they can qualify for additional support to further expand their businesses and strengthen the economic transformation process,” Augustine Kai explained.

The timing of the grant disbursement at the Moru Atanayece Festival also underscored its peacebuilding objectives.

Festival participants resolved to establish cross-border market days, creating opportunities for traders from neighboring communities to interact, trade, and build trust.

This initiative is expected to generate a critical mass of empowered women traders, ensuring they capitalize on the opportunities provided by the joint market days while championing peace in the region.

By Peter Gitonga

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