Turkana Women Traders Receive Ksh 4 Million Grant to Boost Business and Promote Peace

By Turkana Correspondent 

Pamela Ekomwa, a trader from Urum in Loima, could hardly contain her excitement as she spoke about the opportunity she and fellow women traders had just received. 

“The training we underwent prepared us to use these funds effectively. It’s not just about expanding businesses—it’s also about peace,” she said, reflecting on how women traders like herself are leading efforts to foster harmony in their communities.

Pamela is one of over 220 women from cross-border villages in Turkana West and Loima sub-counties who have been awarded a Ksh 4 million grant. 

This initiative, facilitated by the Lotus Kenya Action for Development Organization (Lokado) and funded by the BMZ through a Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH)-led program, aims to empower women economically while promoting peace along the Kenya-Uganda and Kenya-South Sudan borders.

Each beneficiary is set to receive Ksh 18,000 to grow their businesses. The funds are not just a means for economic advancement but also a tool for strengthening peaceful interactions in historically conflict-prone regions.

Speaking during the cheque handover ceremony at the Moru Atanayece Festival 2024 in Letea, Governor Jeremiah Lomorukai praised the initiative’s dual approach to economic empowerment and conflict resolution.

“These grants go beyond business. They empower women to become peacebuilders in communities affected by cross-border tensions,” said Governor Lomorukai.

Lokado’s Executive Director, Augustine Kai Lope, and Robert Ewoton of WHH presented a symbolic cheque to the Governor during the event, officially marking the release of funds. 

Ewoton emphasized the unique value of the program, highlighting how it combines economic development with sustainable peace promotion.

“This approach integrates business and peacebuilding, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation among border communities,” said Ewoton.

To prepare the beneficiaries for the grant, Lokado conducted rigorous business skills training, ensuring the funds would be put to effective use. 

Concepta Longorio, a trader from Lokiriama, expressed her optimism about the grant’s potential impact. 

“Many of us are already part of village-level savings and loan associations (VSLAs), and this cash injection will give us the boost we need to grow our businesses and improve our livelihoods,” she said.

Pamela Ekomwa further praised Lokado’s approach to combining peacebuilding discussions with economic empowerment through the VSLAs. 

“These meetings have become platforms to address peace and encourage collaboration. We are ready to engage our counterparts across the borders to embrace similar initiatives,” she added.

The program aligns with Lokado’s broader efforts to diversify livelihoods and reduce dependency on livestock—a common source of cross-border conflict due to resource competition. 

Just one month prior, Lokado supported 100 reformed warriors with cash grants to start businesses. With this new disbursement, the total number of beneficiaries now reaches 323, comprising both women and men from Loima, Lokiriama, and Turkana West sub-counties.

Augustine Kai highlighted that the organization will closely monitor the progress of beneficiaries over the next six months to assess the grants’ impact.

“We have put measures in place to support those who demonstrate effective use of the funds. Our goal is to create opportunities for them to qualify for additional support, helping them further expand their businesses and drive economic transformation,” explained Augustine Kai.

The Moru Atanayece Festival, which served as the backdrop for the grant’s announcement, underscored the peacebuilding aspect of the initiative. Festival participants resolved to establish cross-border market days to provide traders with opportunities to interact, trade, and build trust.

This initiative is expected to empower a critical mass of women traders, enabling them to capitalize on these market opportunities while championing peace in the region.

By blending economic empowerment with peace promotion, the program not only transforms livelihoods but also fosters lasting harmony among cross-border communities.