WEST POKOT COUNTY, KOICA AGREE TO CONTINUE WOMEN EMPOWERMENT EFFORTS

Governor Simon Kachapin led high level stakeholder engagement that brought together partners among them Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Kenya, UN Women, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), Village Enterprise to discuss Women Empowerment Through Climate Smart Agriculture (WEE-CSA) Project.

The delegation led by Dr. Jang Hee IM, Country Director, KOICA, highlighted on the progress made through the project being implemented in three wards, namely, Riwo, Batei & Suam.

Dr. Hee IM said the project sought to capacity build women on agribusiness and financial literacy, climate smart agriculture, livestock production and gender advocacy.

Governor Kachapin said his administration was keen to continue the fruitful efforts and partnership aimed at women empowerment, and ultimately, contribute to county’s overall development goals.

“The county government of West Pokot really appreciates what our partners are doing in our county. All of us here is a testimony of the great work you’re doing,” said the governor.

He assured the partners of the county’s commitment to fully support the project to ensure sustainability.

On his part, Deputy Governor Komolle offered the county’s commitment to continue strengthening the working partnership with KOICA and its implementing partners.

He however asked the partners to support the county in development of policies and legal frameworks to guide implementation of projects.

We will continue to strengthen this partnership, but we need support in developing policies.

“Without policies, we can implement on some of these issues. As we continue with our partnership, let’s also look at ways to help the county develop policies and legal frameworks,” said H.E. Komolle.

The program funded by KOICA is being jointly implemented by UN Women, FAO and locally by Village Enterprise. The team will today be in Riwo and Batei tomorrow to ascertain the status of projects supported through WEE-CSA.

So far 809 beneficiaries from the three wards have been identified and supported with dorper sheep, galla goats, improved chicks, honey aggregation, pasture production, bulb onion production among other activities.

Representing UN Women, Elizabeth Obanda, Lead, Economic Empowerment Unit, noted that for the county to achieve sustainable development, women empowerment and gender equity must be prioritized to ensure women can contribute to economic growth in their communities and the county at large.

While reiterating the importance of partnerships to transform communities, Masol Ward MCA and also the Chair, Budget and Appropriation Committee Wilson Chekeruk, pointed out that the county assembly will continue to support partners’ efforts by setting aside funds to ensure sustainability of the projects.

Agriculture & Livestock CEC Wilfred Long’ironyang lauded the project, saying it had enhanced animal production another key empowerment activities.

He however, noted that changing climatic patterns continue to affect farming and livestock productivity. He called for diversification of agricultural production in order to fully address the challenges posed by climate change.

Dr. Barrack Okoba representing FAO, said the UN Agency is currently focusing on food and nutrition security addressing SDG on no poverty, zero hunger and reducing inequality.

Present during the meeting were Masol Ward MCA Wilson Chekeruk who is also the Chair, Budget and Appropriation committee, Suam Ward MCA Emmanuel Akasile, Chair Agriculture Committee, Riwo Ward MCA Alukulem, Chair Gender, Culture and Tourism Committee, CECs Paul Woyakapel, Siwanyang, Lucky Litole, Joshua Siwanyang, Chief Officer Chebet Mungo among other senior county officials and partners.