A Mango farming project rolled out by the Kerio Valley Development Authority (KVDA) has turned out to be a blessing to many families within the volatile region.
The project that seeks to financially empower locals within the valley has seen many turn away from engaging in otherwise unproductive activities.
Under this project, KVDA has set up mango tree nurseries that it uses to distribute to locals within the area so that they can venture into farming rather than involve banditry and other activities that pose a threat to peace.
Aside from helping farmers get into the mango business which turns into an income earner for the citizens in Kerio Valley, the authority’s mango nurseries have also come in as a source of jobs for the locals.
Former chang’aa brewer
One of those that have benefited from job opportunities at the nurseries is Alice Naipet, a resident of Weiwei, West Pokot.
Alice, a former Chang’aa brewer has had a total transformation ever since she secured the job with entails watering the mango seedlings, removing weeds from the nurseries as well as maintaining them.
She tells Uasin Gishu News that ever since she secured the job, life has been different.
“I came here at KVDA in May and this job has helped me a lot. I now have some money and my life is far better than it was. With money in my pocket, I can afford to take home washing bar soap and sugar for my kids,” Alice says.
She notes that when brewing chang’aa, she had to always look around her shoulders due to regular police raids – but that is now past her.
“I am usually here from Monday to Friday. It is only over the weekend that I go home,” Alice notes.
With a job that brings consistent income, the former Chang’aa brewer says she no longer has stress.
“I’ve already paid school fees for my children, even sugar is always available at home and there is no more stress. We used to brew chang’aa and depend on manual jobs which were usually not dependable,” she adds.
Here’s a short video of Alice Naipet narrating her transformation since securing a job at KVDA mango nursery in Weiwei, West Pokot County;
