Kakuma, July 26, 2024 (Public Communication and Media Relations)

Youth and women registered with Farmers Service Centers (FSCs) in Turkana County have received competency-based skills aimed at integrating modern technology into financial management through Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs). This training, supported by the World Food Program (WFP), aimed to facilitate the formation and activation of VSLAs and equip FSC agri-preneurs with basic skills to operate digital software and applications. It also focuses on introducing the Savings Management Information System, a data entry software, to all FSCs, enhancing the accuracy and accountability of their databases.

Deputy Director for Gender, Mollen Onderi, emphasized that this training would empower small and medium enterprises run by youth and women with the needed financial stability to generate capital. “The VSLAs should maintain gender sensitivity in their activities to promote balance,” she noted.

Onderi urged the FSCs to utilize the data collection procedures to improve data management within their VSLAs and regularly inform the government of their consistency and progress.

The World Food Programme acknowledged that VSLAs are crucial in fostering economic empowerment and financial stability. Noting that linking VSLAs to potential financial institutions, such as banks, would be an effective approach to ensuring enhanced capacity to access business and development loans, and promoting sustainability across the Turkana region.

Rose Achilla, one of the FSC farmers at the training, noted that the training has enhanced her understanding of gender inclusivity in roles within communities and improved the ability to digitize and develop VSLAs, which will go along way to boost resilience and ability to access and manage business loans.

County officials present included Deputy Director for Youth Affairs Linus Ekidor, Agricultural Officer Eli Karani, and WFP representative Peter Mwaniki.