Baringo: Culture, Arts and Heritage Cabinet Secretary Hanna Cheptumo has announced plans by the National Government to establish a Sh100 million beadwork hub in Baringo County aimed at empowering local women. Cheptumo disclosed this initiative while inaugurating a week-long training program for 100 women on beadwork at the Kabarnet social hall. She mentioned that her office is collaborating with the Baringo County administration to identify a suitable location for the hub, which will serve as a central point for production, training, and cultural preservation.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Culture CS praised Governor Benjamin Cheboi for his support of the flagship project, which will benefit women from the six constituencies in Baringo and neighboring counties. Accompanied by Deputy Governor Eng. Felix Kimaiyo and Baringo Central Deputy County Commissioner Henry Tiya, Cheptumo shared that the State Department of ICT has committed to providing internet connectivity for the hub once it is completed, enhancing market linkages for the women artisans.
Cheptumo emphasized that the hub will be a strategic location for both local and international visitors to experience the region’s unique handcrafted cultural products, contributing to improved livelihoods. She encouraged the women to continue their beadwork in preparation for the completion of the facility, ensuring they have ample stock available.
The Culture CS also urged women to capitalize on the training provided by the Ushanga Initiative Kenya, which will equip them with modern product development skills tailored for local and international markets. Deputy Governor Kimaiyo expressed that the hub is vital for the women in the county who have faced challenges in finding dedicated spaces to sell their beadwork.
Kimaiyo noted that the establishment of the Ushanga hub is timely, as the county anticipates approval to be designated as a UNESCO Global Geoparks destination by the end of the year. This initiative will significantly aid in showcasing the region’s diverse cultures. He affirmed the county administration’s full support for the project, highlighting its alignment with the bottom-up transformation agenda that empowers women and boosts the county’s economy.
Kimaiyo encouraged more women to register with cooperative societies to receive better support from both government levels and non-state actors.
