TEEG to the Rescue
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.