The County Government has partnered with the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) to roll out ‘Vijana in Kilimobiz’ to promote the inclusion of youth and women in agri-business opportunities in Turkana.
The move provides an opportunity to listen to the voices of young people and women in resolving concerns that hinder their involvement in agri-business and other ventures that would later result in their self-reliance.
With an estimated population of about 500,000 youths and women constituting half the population of Turkana, the venture is expected to open up opportunities in the seeds and fertilizer business, the transport and logistics sector, direct sales of food items, food processing for value-addition and marketing to thousands of youth and women in Turkana and beyond.
Besides, the food value chain could provide opportunities to the refugees and the residents of the Kalobeyei settlement thus reducing the unemployment burden for the youth.
In his remarks, the Chief Officer for Youth and Gender Affairs Joseph Epuu described the ‘Vijana in Kilimobiz’ as a favorable moment through which the local youth and women could reshape the economy of Turkana by engaging in agribusiness value chains for employment creation and strengthening business networks.
He acknowledged the role of digital platforms in enhancing market access, entrepreneurship support, and information exchange.
The ‘Vijana in Kilimobiz’ CCO said, it will be implemented through town hall meetings and digital platforms.
He added that youth and women can engage and give views regarding entry into agribusiness value chains.
The Gender and Youth Chief said that the County Government will work with partners to develop youth-centric roadmaps anticipated by the initiative.
At the event; mindset change to embrace food value chains, diversification of income streams, financial growth, the entry point for youth and women into the agricultural value chain, and climate change were discussed.
Lauren Landis, Country Director, WFP) Peter Mwaniki, WFP Lodwar Office, and Mollen Onderi, Deputy Director of Gender Affairs were present.
