In the quiet village of Kapkures, a village far from water sources, resides an extraordinary man whose ingenuity has transformed his own life and the lives of his community members. John Muchina, a Kakamega man and seasoned farmer in his late seventies, has become a local hero for pioneering a remarkable water system that has brought abundance and prosperity to his homestead.

The Genesis of Innovation

John Muchina's story begins with a simple but profound challenge: access to clean water. Situated approximately 4 kilometers away from the nearest river, Muchina saw an opportunity rather than a setback. Armed with determination and resourcefulness, he conceived a plan to harness gravity and leverage technology to bring water to his doorstep.

Employing a combination of metallic and plastic pipes, Muchina engineered a system that gently guides water from the river down through the slopes to his homestead. This ingenious setup not only alleviated the burden of water collection but also ensured a steady supply of clean water for his farming activities.

A Home Overflowing with Prosperity

Today, Muchina's home is a testament to his hard work and foresight. Clean water flows effortlessly into every corner of his farm, nurturing lush banana plantations and thriving sugarcane fields that stretch as far as the eye can see. The once-parched land now blooms with abundance, providing sustenance for his family and neighbors who often come to fetch water.

Water is life," proclaims Muchina, his eyes gleaming with pride as he gestures towards the verdant landscape around him. "With water, we can grow anything. Our bananas are famous in the region, and the sugarcane brings in a good income all year round.

Family and Community Bonding

At the heart of Muchina's success lies his family. His sons Hezron Yaya, Seth Kataka, Fuchingo, and Simon Muchina, who stay with him, daughter-in-law Jelimo, and grandsons Ngishu and Hunnie are integral to the daily operations on the farm. Together, they work tirelessly to tend the crops, maintain the irrigation system, and ensure that the fruits of their labor continue to flourish.

"My grandchildren are my greatest joy," shares Muchina affectionately. "The money we earn from our farm helps to pay for their school fees. Education is the key to a brighter future, and I want to give them every opportunity I can."

Challenges and Triumphs

Of course, Muchina's journey has not been without its challenges. Building and maintaining the water system required considerable effort and financial investment. "There were times when we faced setbacks, especially during heavy rains or when the pipes needed repairs," admits Muchina. "But we persevered because we knew the importance of what we were doing."

Despite these obstacles, Muchina's resilience and determination have paid off manifold. His farm not only sustains his family but also serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for the entire community. Neighbors often gather at his homestead not just for water but also for advice and camaraderie.

Looking Towards the Future

As Muchina gazes towards the horizon, his thoughts turn to the future. "I hope that our story can inspire others to think creatively and sustainably," he muses. "There is so much potential in our land if we care for it and work together."

With a glint of optimism in his eyes, Muchina envisions expanding his farm and perhaps even mentoring other farmers in similar endeavors. "Water is a precious resource," he emphasizes. "If we manage it wisely, we can create a better life not just for ourselves but for generations to come."

John Muchina's journey from water scarcity to abundance is a testament to the power of innovation, hard work, and community spirit. Through his pioneering efforts, he has not only transformed his own life but has also uplifted the lives of those around him. His story reminds us that with determination and ingenuity, even the most challenging circumstances can be overcome.

As we bid farewell to this remarkable man and his family, one cannot help but feel inspired by their resilience and unwavering commitment to sustainability. John Muchina's legacy will undoubtedly continue to ripple through the generations, leaving behind a greener, more prosperous world for all.

“It was quite emotional to arrive in the forest and be greeted by the group of farmers I had worked with from afar, ” said Mr. Serodio.

Read more

Kakamega county is among the top 10 food crop and cash crop-producing counties in Kenya. The climate in Kakamega county is classified as a tropical climate with a lot of rain throughout the year from March to November. Among the crops grown here include; Sugarcane, maize, beans, ground nuts and vegetables ( kales, capsicum, spinach, tomatoes, and cabbag…

Read more

The issue of unemployment is rampant in our society. Today many youths are unemployed which has led to many vices in society, among them being a high crime rate, drug trafficking, and corruption. As we struggle with emerging issues such as COVID-19, we tend to forget that there is another killer monster called unemployment which has killed so many youths physically, emotionally, and psychologically.  Today we have so many graduates without employment. The issue of employment has been left to the individual to either struggle to create their employment or wait for the government which might take one even two decades waiting.

In Mukhonje village which is in Kakamega county, we meet  Moses Namunyu who has ventured into woodworking despite him having a bachelor’s degree in engineering.  In an individual with him, he said he had to venture into the woodwork to create employment for himself as well as fellow villagers of Mukhonje village. He said it has taken him more than fifteen years out of university minus employment. He then decided to try woodworking, which was just his leisure activity. Furthermore, he had little, but he just started it.

“Since it was my hobby, I just started it with the little skills I had. I have gained a lot of experience while working. I can now make almost all types of furniture. Moreover, I teach young people how to make these items”

Moses Namunyu believes in hard work with focus. He says without a vision you can’t achieve anything. He has been working hard and encouraging young people in Mukhonje village to join him to acquire the good skills he has. Not only that, but he has trained almost two people who have now opened their woodwork shops elsewhere. Furthermore, he said he has been working hard to achieve his three-set goals:

Creating employment

He has created employment not only for himself but also for his fellow villagers whom he has trained in woodwork. Moreover, he buys his timber from the locality, which means he also promotes the local markets.
Bringing services closer to villagers
Moses has been one of the people in the village who has helped villagers get good access to furniture which was bought from other places such as Lwandeti, Webuye, and even Eldoret. Villagers can now get access to these products at even a lower price compared to those bought from other places. He has also cut down on their transport costs.

Rehabilitating the Youth

Some youths who had lost hope in life and resorted to drinking alcohol have now been kept busy. One of such young men is one who fetches timber from various places for him on his motorbike. Some other youths who were a threat to villagers because of them, being thieves, have also been rehabilitated. At Blessed woodwork company, there is no room for idleness. All people who work there are always busy with this or that from morning to evening. Mr. Moses says he does not like an idle mind because an idle mind harbors evil thoughts. He said he always wants everyone to be busy with his work. He also likes punctuality. Likewise, he opens his workshop at exactly 7 am, and he expects his employees and students to report at 8 am. Furthermore, he believes in the saying “the early bird catches the worm”I also asked  Moses why he thinks Blessed woodwork is the best company in Mukhonje village, and he said that he thought it is the best because it offers goods at pocket-friendly prices. He gave me an example of some furniture which are costly elsewhere, but he offers them at a good price. For example, a table costs three thousand shillings elsewhere, but he normally sells at one thousand eight hundred shillings. He said the prices attract customers. Another reason why he thought blessed woodwork is the best is that it is the only woodwork shop that teaches skills to other people. Mostly, many people who do woodworking just do it for business and will always charge an extra fee whenever they teach someone skills to do woodworking. On his side, he says he does not charge any fee. He does that to help his fellow villagers. Moreover, he said that he is a pastor. As a man of God who is doing woodwork, he is a role model to many because the Bible says that those who do not work should not eat. So, he encourages young people to put in more and learn new skills which will be vital in their life. He says it is better for him to teach someone skills than even to give him cash, which is not always available. He always encourages his workers with biblical scriptures daily. That is what keeps them moving on.

Moses has good dreams which he believes he will fulfill. He believes in helping the government to create employment. He no longer wants to be employed by the government. Furthermore, he says he has acquired education which has opened his brains and made him an important citizen who will be able to help the government instead of blaming it because of the problem of unemployment.

“Every citizen has the role to play instead of blaming the government. At this time when the government is struggling with many foreign debts, we need to think outside the box. We went to school to learn how to be problem solvers, not government dependants. We can’t depend on the government for everything.”

Moses says he was once bitter with the government while in university for its many shortcomings, but he now believes he is the change that has to be injected into the system. He believes he has one tool which is in-born skills in woodworking, which he will use to bring change bypassing these good skills to his fellow villagers. His woodwork shop is not huge, but he believes he has great skills which he will use to reduce the problem of unemployment not only in his area but all over the country. He says if he gets resources in the future, he will open up woodworking shops in other areas to help other people too. He believes in his products, and he has a dream of selling them not only in Mukhonje village but the entire country and outside the country. This he believes will also create employment as he will have to advertise his products online, and he will need to employ someone who is computer-literate to run his online business.

The Eldoret-Kisumu road is a very busy and noisy road. It is perhaps one of the busiest public transport hubs that transact Western Kenya region; with either a matatu van or bus zooming past every minute or half a minute during peak hours. This road serves passenger traffic between six counties, namely: Uasin-Gishu, Nandi, Kakamega, Vihiga, Kisumu, and Siaya. Anyone living near this road, therefore, interacts daily with Kenyans living in almost half of Western Kenya.

This is the status of this road at Losengeli in Vihiga County. However, as we stepped 300 meters off the highway, we found ourselves in a fundamentally different environment. We suddenly found ourselves in a beautiful compound with green fencing, trimmed hedges, and a lush well-tended grass field. Here, among the beautiful rainbow-colored flowers, the atmosphere is an antidote of what one experiences on the highway. A breath of fresh air greeted us as we arrived at the home of Morris Lwenya at Losengeli in Vihiga County.

Mr. Morris Lwenya, who, despite living thousands of kilometres away in the United States of America, plays a constant pivotal role in social and development activities in the County and among Vihigans living in the Diaspora. Well-known for his philanthropic social and welfare activities, most of Mr. Lwenya activities are done behind the scenes without fanfare. It is therefore within his ambit that he is assisting a self-help group and has offered them his home at Losengeli as the meeting and activity centre.

Tumaini Economic Empowerment Group (EEG)

As we breathe in the fresh air in this scenic serene atmosphere, we are welcomed by the quiet and unassuming Chair lady of the Tumaini Economic Empowerment Group (EEG) Madam Ruth Waga.

“Members of TEEG have trodden a long path”, she begins by telling us. They started with each member contributing Ksh. 200 shares per month, which was pooled and given to one member once a month; in what is known in Kenya as Merry-Go-Round. As the strength of the group grew, they raised this member's share contribution to Ksh. 500 a month.

We are joined by the Group Secretary Mr. Duncan Kidali and a little later by the Treasurer Madam Rose Mbaizi.

“Some people join merry-go-round groups with high expectations but without understanding that even Ugali (the staple local dish) needs time to cook before it is ready to serve;” explains the Treasurer. “We started out as 15 members but many who lack perseverance dropped out, leaving 7 of us. However, those who walked out on us are now begging to come back.”

Why?

“Because when we started each member contributing cash per month to a member, now we are collectively giving a heifer to members.” Says the Secretary.
From the initial membership, some voted with their feet when they failed to see what they termed as the quick progression of the group. This was whittled down to 7 committed members who stayed on course until the group was eventually registered as a Community-Based Organization — CBO.

Vihiga County is one of the most densely populated counties in Kenya with a density of 1,045 persons per square km and one of the highest fertility rates in the country estimated at 5.1%. The high population has exerted enormous pressure on land resources resulting in land fragmentation, food insecurity, unemployment, and a high dependency ratio.

It is in regard to this realization that Harvest for Africa International (HAAFI) in partnership with TEEG commenced its economic empowerment activities targeting widows and youth. HAAFI chipped in with his assistance to fund some of the group’s core projects.

POULTRY KEEPING

One of the activities targeted by TEEG is Poultry keeping, which is practiced by many households in low-income food-deficit countries to bolster food and nutritional security.  Poultry keeping requires minimal land, labour and capital inputs. Women are recognized as key players in family poultry production systems in this county and successful engagement with this sector will incorporate gender-sensitive approaches.
In December 2020, the group built their member, Kidali a poultry house, and furnished it with feeders and water containers. Electricity was installed in the chicken house and stocked with 25 ''Kienyeji'' chicks. Kienyeji chicks are the preferred type of poultry farmed on a small and large scale in Kenya. They are considered to have sweet meat like the traditional chicken, feed on a variety of feeds and have more disease resistance than pure grades.

Kidali feeds them on factory-made chicken “Grower’s mash” which being expensive he supplements with Nduma (Yam) leaves and Pigweed leaves. The chickens are of mixed type with cockerels and hens. In two months' time, the Layers will be mature and begin laying eggs and the cockerels will be ready for the market. With the proceeds from the sale of eggs, cockerels, and hatched chicken the group will purchase more stock, hence enabling continuity of the project.
The chicken house is still incomplete with a dusty floor.

HEIFER-(KEMOLI)

The flagship of the HAAFI/TEEG project is “Kemoli” which means heifer. It is modeled on “Girinka” Rwanda model of one-cow-one-homestead; the target is to give a heifer — Kemoli to every homestead.

The benefits of the initiative will expand as the Kemolis mature and reproduce and these calves sold in the market to boost family incomes or be given to other families in need. The program targets increased farm crop yields through fertilization of nutrient-depleted soils with cattle manure will bolster the growth of cattle grass such as Napier.

Mr. Morris Lwenya introduced the HAAFI-designed “Kemoli” movement as a ‘pro-poor’ strategy for economic empowerment and improved food security among Losengeli village community. Ownership of cattle by the underserved folks will contribute to the enhancement of their social status. It elevates the recipients not only financially but personally and socially as well. Among those who stand to benefit most from the program are members of female-headed households especially widows who by tradition do not own any property through inheritance.

Rose Mbaizi was the first group member to benefit from the Kemoli program at the end of March 2021. She says she has planted enough feed for the cow. She is sincerely anticipating the benefits of milk for household use and extra for sale to Mudete Dairy for income. This will enable her to buy good food, and clothes for her family and pay school fees. The cow has also improved her wealth status in the community.
Studies have shown that there are high numbers of malnourished children in poor families. The program will tackle malnutrition by the provision of milk, a rich source of proteins.

The next member who got the Kemoli was Milka Kavaya, who has young children. She says; “I am grateful and happy to have received this calf. Now I am guaranteed milk for my young children and school fees in their future.”
These were followed by Caroline Kidali and Dinnah Mwendeyi who have benefited with a Kemoli each. According to the Chair lady, this will continue until all members have received a Kemoli.

To their advantage, the members have access to a grade bull at the Lwenya boma for reproductive purposes; which reduces the cost of artificial insemination and guarantees mating when the Kemolis mature and are ready to mate.

CAPACITY BUILDING

The HAAFI is assisting TEEG members to establish other income-generating activities, including: Goat-keeping, Bee-Keeping, Fruit-tree farming, and goat keeping.

Beekeeping is a great home-based income-generating project. Goats have largely been used in dairy production, but are increasingly being raised for meat. Goat farming is in scale, because of their forage habits, ease of care, disease resistance, and reduced maintenance compared to other ruminants. The TEEG goat keeping house is nearing completion on a spot provided on Morris Lwenya’s farm.