Lodwar, 1 July 2025 — Public Communications and Media Relations

County Government in partnership with Solidaridad have joined hands to empower local communities to identify and report gender issues for immediate action by relevant authorities.

Speaking during the inaugural training session, the Chief Officer for Energy, Petroleum and Mining said that the partnership aim to train individuals from the communities engaged in the mining sector to serve as champions of Gender concerns.

Chief Amoni added that the trainings would cover all aspects of the artisanal mining value chain, starting from actual extraction, formation of cooperatives to marketing.

“Together with Solidaridad, we are committed to ensure respect for gender rights and safe space for women and men to benefit from the sector,” she said.

The training curriculum has therefore been designed to create awareness on responsible mining practices, gender sensitive psychosocial support, referral pathways for gender related concerns, supply and use of safety equipment and first aid corresponding to men and women.

“These initiatives must be taken seriously,” she said. “As a county government, we are fully committed to supporting artisanal miners to overcome the challenges they face.”

Additionally, the partnership will also focus on economic empowerment models including formation of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) for women.

Merimug Eloto, Director Mining equally urged miners to collaborate closely with the county government so as to benefit from more initiatives.

Representatives from Solidaridad, including Rita Atuti and project officer Augustine Masiga, as well as Gender Champions from seven mining market cooperatives were present.