More than 100 women in Naramaam village, West Pokot County have abandoned livestock keeping and brewing of illicit brew in favor of beekeeping after receiving 300 beehives from a well wisher

According to the residents, the move is aimed at eradicating poverty which has greatly contributed to high rate of school drop outs, early marriages, insecurity and Female Genital Mutilation in Naramaam village, Kipkomo sub county, West Pokot County.

Emily Okubasu Laktabai, the CEO and founder of Kyle Gabriel foundation, a community based organisation said they are offering services for sustainable development in West Pokot, Trans-nzoia and Elgeyo Marakwet counties. 

She added that Kyle Gabriel foundation is also promoting gender equality through empowering women and girls with the knowledge and skills they require in bee keeping and other economic activities.

The initiative which is under the Imara program is set to empower women who have been taking part in brewing illicit brew and keeping livestock.

Betty Ndiwa, a local and a beneficiary of this project, narrated how she has benefitted from the program.

“We are so happy about this project, many of us have not been able to educate our children due to poverty, our young girls are forced to get married so that the dowry is provided to us, the area is semi-arid, we cannot cultivate. Am so delighted about this project and from today I am sure our lives have changed,” said Ndiwa.

At the same time, Senior Kipkomo assistant County commissioners John Kichwen maintained that the project is a major boost to the government in the fight against illicit brew, adding that locals will totally abandon the vice.

“Personally I am happy about this initiative and I thank the well wishers for helping the government fight illicit brew, from now I’m sure the lives of these vulnerable people here have changed. Therefore I urge all the beneficiaries not to take this project for granted, take it home, guard it, earn it and change your life for once and for all,” said Kichwen.

The second phase of the project is set to take place in May 2024, targeting another huge number of locals in the area in ensuring that their lives are fully transformed through keeping bees.