Before the sound of running water ever meant income, Paul Kiperus was known around Kiwanja as the guy you’d find at the riverbeds, loading sand onto lorries. Today, he’s the one people call when their tanks are leaking or when they finally decide to install indoor plumbing.
He was in Form 1 when everything changed. An elephant attacked his father while he was running errands. The injuries were serious, such that both legs were broken, and just like that, Paul had to stop school. The money that would have been allocated for his school fees was redirected to cover hospital bills and other medical expenses. As the eldest child, he stepped up, and school had to wait as he stayed back to take care of his siblings.
To make ends meet, Paul worked at sand harvesting sites. He’d get Ksh. 300 for every lorry he helped load. Most of the time, he was forced to work in the dead of night; it was cold, tiring, and risky. The riverbeds could flood without warning, and on more than one occasion, he feared for his life. But he kept going because staying idle was not an option.
While working as a sand harvester, Paul still found time to help around his community. He had volunteered for two years to monitor water pipes in a nearby Community Land Management Committee (CLMC) project, even though he didn’t know how to fix them. Whenever there was a leak, someone else had to be called in. The board saw his dedication, and when Ujuzi Manyattani came, they suggested he take it a step further by enrolling in a plumbing course under the vocational training program. It was something he had quietly been working toward all along.
At first, upon joining, he was nervous. He had never been to a classroom since dropping out of school. Some of the skills he was taught included pipe fitting, water supply, drainage systems, and plumbing fixtures, among others. They even had practical sessions in nearby schools.
After completing training, Paul didn’t sit still. He took on small jobs, such as fixing tanks, repairing leaks, and connecting homes to the water supply. His phone started ringing more often. For the first time in years, he had regular work and income he could count on. “I’d leave the house in the morning and come back in the evening with something for the family,” he says.
With his nationally recognized certificate in hand, Paul applied for a job under the Makurian Osirua Water Project with Laikipia County. He was accepted as a casual and has now been on the payroll for nine months, earning around Ksh. 9,000 monthly. For bigger jobs, he links his classmates from the program.
He’s also been involved by the Mayianat Conservancy management in repairing pipelines that elephants have destroyed.
Their area had always struggled with access to water. When a storage tank was finally built to help the community, many families wanted water piped directly to their homes. Paul took it upon himself to lend a hand. The demand grew so rapidly that he decided to open a small plumbing workshop, stocking fittings and connectors that people used to travel as far as Nanyuki to buy.
With support from Rangelands SACCO through FFI-Darwin, he got a Ksh. 50,000 loan to expand. Paul dreams of further growing his shop, adding things beyond plumbing and other hardware materials.
The 2022 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Demographic and Health Survey revealed a high dependence on traditional cooking fuels. According to the survey, 68.5% of the Kenyan population (9.1 million; 1.7 million in urban areas and 7.4 million in rural areas), rely on traditional cooking fuel options – firewood and charcoal as their primary source.
In Northern Kenya, energy poverty persists as a significant barrier to health, education, and economic opportunities. A 2023 Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) assessment found that 76% of households use firewood and 48% rely on charcoal for daily cooking, often over traditional open fires that produce significant amounts of smoke. The use of fuelwood for cooking in households and institutions exacerbates the issue of rangeland degradation and indoor air pollution, with consequences on their respiratory health.
While 57% of households use mobile solar lamps for lighting, many still rely on kerosene or have no access to lighting at all, which limits productivity and learning opportunities after dark. This further reinforces the broader challenges of poverty, gender inequality, and limited access to opportunity, especially in a region that already experiences marginalization due to climate change, geography, infrastructure gaps, and low household incomes.
Recognizing these dynamics, MashinaniWORKS, in collaboration with the Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT) through its Nature-based Solutions, Water, and Energy Project, supported by Danida, initiated a sensitization and pilot program on sustainable energy from May 26 to June 20, 2025. The exercise was carried out in 11 NRT member community conservancies across Leparua, Sera, Kalama, Westgate, Ilngwesi, Lekurruki, Naibunga Lower, Naibunga Central, Melako, Jaldesa, and Shurr, in Marsabit, Samburu, Isiolo, and Laikipia Counties. Women engaged in beadwork and the Rangelands SACCO formed the core participants, reflecting an understanding that women, as household energy managers.
The objective of this exercise was to determine which cooking and lighting fuels are currently in use among community members and to identify other suitable options that save time and money, improve health, and have a positive environmental impact.
Findings revealed that firewood remains the primary cooking fuel in all conservancies, with 43% of households also using charcoal and only 3.2% accessing Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), mostly for making tea. A few households had biogas systems, but most were non-functional due to a lack of water, maintenance issues, and limited user training. Although communities are aware of cleaner options, high costs and accessibility barriers have prevented adoption.
Economic and temporal costs associated with traditional fuels emerged as a recurring concern. On average, households spent approximately KES 1,270 per week (over KES 60,000 annually) on firewood and charcoal, an expense that is disproportionate to local income levels. Many women described walking long distances and spending up to nine hours each week collecting firewood, often under conditions of insecurity. The implications are multifaceted: reduced time for income-generating activities, heightened exposure to physical danger, and growing pressure on already degraded landscapes.
Beyond the financial strain, the health and emotional toll is severe. Participants described daily struggles with smoke-filled kitchens, respiratory and eye problems, back pain, and burn injuries. None of the households are connected to the national power grid; 69% use portable solar lamps, while 31% rely on small solar panels that require regular payments to remain active. For women who rely on beadwork as a source of income, lighting has a direct impact on productivity and their livelihood.
Several participants shared their personal experiences, revealing the human cost behind traditional fuel use.
Another added, “I stepped out for less than five minutes — in those few minutes, I lost my little girl to burns from firewood.”
A second participant said, “If I could afford the improved cookstove, it would mean rest and healing to my legs and back.”
Such voices exemplified the gendered dimensions of energy poverty, underscoring the urgent need for cleaner, safer, and more affordable energy options in these communities.
Through this participatory process, a strong demand was identified for energy solutions, including improved cookstoves and solar power. Communities themselves have identified a network of highly trusted sales agents to distribute these sustainable energy products that align with their lifestyles and can be affordably adopted. These agents have undergone training on the operation and maintenance of the jikos. They will be able to assist the community members, ensuring the products deliver maximum benefit and long-term value.
These findings laid the groundwork for the launch of MotoSAFI Mashinani, a clean-energy initiative by MashinaniWORKS, which aims to promote access to and adoption of sustainable energy solutions for communities.
The program was officially launched in Chumvi, Il Ngwesi Conservancy, on September 16, 2025, bringing together community members to celebrate a new chapter in clean and sustainable energy in northern Kenya. The event was coupled with the distribution of cookstoves to 130 households.
Since the pilot, the initiative has gained strong momentum. Over 500 energy-saving cookstoves have been distributed across the 11 conservancies, including 260 new units in Kalama, Sera, Naibunga Central, Melako, and Jaldesa. Through the local sales agents, families are now accessing cleaner, more affordable solutions that reduce smoke, lower household expenses, and protect the fragile rangeland environment.
The ambition is to reach 5,000 households by the end of next year, a target that, if achieved, could offer a replicable model for integrated, community-led approaches to energy access.
With the generous support of Danida through NRT, MotoSAFI Mashinani represents a significant step toward resilience and sustainable development in Kenya’s historically marginalized areas.
On a normal day, you’ll find her sitting cross-legged low to the ground on a flattened carton that shields her from the dust and rough soil beneath just outside her manyatta in Ngare Ndare. A shallow container beside her is filled with glass beads—blue, black, white, red, yellow, and green. A thin wire rests between her fingers, and she threads each bead onto it. It’s clear what she is making will turn out incredibly good, as her arms are lined with bangles and bracelets, her neck heavy with lkiripa (neckpieces)—layers she’s added over time, made by her own hands.
Sometimes she works alone. On other days, she is with her group of 10 women, beading as they talk or sing their favorite Maa songs.
Meroni Leruso never knew she would become the remarkable woman she is today. She remembers growing up in a patriarchal society that often overlooked the girl child – a woman’s value was to take care of her children and conduct household duties. Marital problems from their polygamous family cost Meroni her right to quality education, and long before she could hardly memorize the alphabetical order, she was taken out of school – Nursery school.
She had no option but to stay home and help her mother whenever she could. On school days, while carrying out tasks like collecting firewood or fetching water, she would encounter other children on their way to school – a dream that remained just that.
At just 14 years old, life threw Meroni another harsh blow when she was married off against her will. While other girls her age were attending school, she found herself thrust into the demanding roles of a wife and mother.
Meroni would later find herself doing small daily hustles like farming for others and selling firewood to make ends meet. Eventually, she separated from her husband, which left her facing the challenge of raising her children on her own. At times, she had to leave them behind to go hustle and had to pay someone to care for them, which was a heavy burden for her.
Her paths crossed with women from her village who were already BeadWORKS artisans. As a cultural activity associated with her community, she felt the urge to join them. In 2021, the single mother of three joined BeadWORKS, aiming to earn extra money to support her children and cover household expenses.
As she beaded, BeadWORKS became more than a source of income. She has embraced conservation, enjoying the process of making orders that require loom beading and bracelet-making, with lion and zebra-inspired colorways. Additionally, the leadership training and exposure tours she received through BeadWORKS have helped her grow into a respected leader among her beading group and in the broader community. Meroni now holds the title of Star Beader in her group at Il Ngwesi Conservancy, where she serves as the point of contact and ensures the quality of the assigned products meets standards before sending them to the BeadWORKS office.
Meroni addresses a meeting during the issuance of conservation fees for BeadWORKS Laikipia County conservancies in 2023
“I am very confident now; I speak in big community meetings and contribute to issues that affect the community and me. I now get invited to talk to women in my village and am often hired by partner organizations to train others in beading.”
Meroni has also contributed to peace efforts that have helped conflicting groups, like the Samburu and Maasai communities, mend their relationships. But nothing prepared her for the day her phone rang with a call from the State House in 2016, and she was acknowledged for her contribution to peace efforts. This was an incredibly surreal and emotional experience for Meroni that filled her with a sense of pride and validation for the hard work she voluntarily put in.
Meroni is now a skilled artisan, thriving in her craft, making products for the local and international markets. Her vision for the next 2–3 years is to run a business, further educate her children, and own a plot of land.
Picture this: A woman sits under the shade of an acacia tree, her hands working magic with tiny glass beads, threading them together to create patterns for a keychain that mirror the spots on a giraffe or the tusk of an elephant. At the end of the week, these ‘love letters’ to the wildlife and culture that inspires her craft will turn into an income.
This is the world of BeadWORKS, where something as simple as a glass bead becomes a lifeline, a voice, a force for change, and an unlikely product financing conservation efforts and developments in northern Kenya.
On 22nd July, at the Kalama Conservancy Headquarters, BeadWORKS artisans from nine NRT community conservancies across Isiolo, Samburu, Laikipia, and Marsabit came together for a noble cause, contributing KSh 3.5 million in conservation fees.
The funds were allocated as follows:
Conservancy
Conservation Fees (in KES)
Melako
897,212
Il Ngwesi
874,560
Sera
394,304
Westgate
370,204
Lekurruki
268,863
Leparua
242,948
Kalama
230,772
Naibunga Lower
136,270
Naibunga Central
132,208
This amount represents 5% of their annual sales income, dedicated to supporting conservation efforts and community development projects, like supporting conservancy rangers, wildlife protection, or school bursaries. Since its inception in 2016, the conservation fee model under BeadWORKS has generated KSh 13.37 million, directly benefiting community-led conservancies.
BeadWORKS, a World Fair Trade Organization-certified enterprise, is a business line under MashinaniWORKS that has, for over 15 years, established an organized network of 1,200 pastoralist women in northern Kenya, creating income-generating opportunities by transforming their traditional beading skills into high-quality, handcrafted products.
In 2024 alone, BeadWORKS generated Ksh 36.2 million in product sales, raising its total revenue since 2016 to Ksh 267.45 million. The women themselves earned 10.6 million shillings in 2024 from creating 75,626 products – earrings, belts, keychains, decorative pieces, and more. Over the years, these artisans have put 80 million shillings directly into their own pockets – money that allows them to pay school fees, put food on the table, start businesses, and, in several cases, leave behind destructive survival activities like charcoal burning.
“BeadWORKS is not just about beading. Every bead tells a story – of resilience and economic empowerment of our women. It’s a skill that takes them from one level to another.” Salma Lekoomet, BeadWORKS Production Manager.
In the communities where BeadWORKS operates, women traditionally haven’t had much say in decision-making, but that has since shifted.
The women have gone on to take leadership roles among themselves, serving as Star Beaders or members of peace committees, and even in conservancy boards. Now, when meetings happen, women’s voices fill the room. When families make financial decisions, women contribute to the discussion. When children dream about their future, they see their mothers as examples of what’s possible.
They have also gained access to financial institutions, like the Rangelands SACCO, where most of them are members, allowing them to save money and take loans.
“Previously, many of us relied on our husbands for financial support, always waiting for them to provide for our needs. However, now that we’ve achieved financial independence, the dynamics have shifted, allowing us to contribute equally and support one another.” Joyce Lelukai said, adding that, “I also opened an account with Rangelands SACCO, and I’ve borrowed loans for starting my businesses and building a modern house.”
She was echoed by her counterpart, Nkasupat Leariyaro, who is a Star Beader and vice chairperson of the Melako Conservancy board. Through BeadWORKS, Nkasupat has been exposed to life-changing experiences, including the recent trip to the United States of America.
At the celebration officiated by the Marsabit Deputy Governor, Hon. Solomon Gubo, along with other county officials and partners, 103 Star Beaders were recognized and awarded Ksh. 1.17 million. The artisans work in groups, with each Star Beader supervising between 10 and 15 women. They play a crucial role in ensuring quality control and coordination, serving as the link between their network and the BeadWORKS office. They also provide mentorship and training to their members.
That didn’t stop there. Nine Star Beaders from each conservancy were awarded for their outstanding performance. Three best overall beaders out of the 1,200 – Nasaru Leariyaro of Melako Conservancy, Christine Shuel of Il Ngwesi Conservancy, and Nantiyon Letaapoof Sera Conservancy – were awarded with solar kits.
Melako and Il Ngwesi Conservancies also won Best Conservancies in the year 2023/24 awards.
What started in the villages of northern Kenya now reaches across oceans. BeadWORKS handcrafted products appear in displays across Africa, North America, Australia, and Europe. Every purchase connects someone thousands of miles away to these talented artisans.
Here, the BeadWORKS e-commerce website has been a transformative success. The website generated Ksh. 827,148 in sales in 2024 alone, but more importantly, it has been winning recognition. The Kenya E-commerce Awards have consecutively honored BeadWORKS: Gold for Best Sustainability Initiative in 2022, Gold for Best International/Export E-commerce website in 2023, and in 2024, a triple win – Gold for Best Handcrafted Fashion E-commerce Website, Silver for Best Cross-Border E-commerce Website, and Silver for Best Jewelry E-commerce Website.
BeadWORKS has also established itself as a globally recognized brand, partnering with other brands such as Ibu Movement, the Ethical Fashion Initiative, and Mifuko – all of which share similar perspectives to BeadWORKS.
This network of women has grown into something unprecedented in northern Kenya’s Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) – a women-led enterprise addressing profound challenges including gender-based violence, poverty, malnutrition, and insecurity, through economic empowerment.
Across nine conservancies, the 1,200 women will continue the work that has already proved to be life-changing.
When you choose BeadWORKS, you’re carrying the dreams of women who wake up every morning and choose to make their world better. You’re making a business transaction with some of the most skilled artisans in Africa. You’re ensuring that their children stay in school, you’re connecting your style to their story, and your purchase to their power.
Visit www.beadworkskenya.com to purchase beautifully beaded handcrafted products made in northern Kenya that change lives.
Born and raised in Kiwanja, within the Maiyanat Conservancy in Laikipia County, Jackline Wamoke was practically raised on the scent of hair oils, the rhythmic tug of braids being parted and plaited, and the lively chatter that fills a salon.
Her mother, a long-practicing hairdresser, passed down more than a profession; she nurtured a sense of possibility. Jackline’s older sister followed that same path, and together, they formed a kind of informal apprenticeship that shaped Jackline from an early age.
During school holidays, she would spend hours in the salon, slowly learning the techniques through observation and practice, the rhythm of customer care, and the business instinct required. These small acts of care and craft shaped Jackline’s childhood and, over time, revealed that she could one day take on the family trade.
After completing Form Four in 2023, she enrolled in Ujuzi Manyattani in March 2024, a program designed to empower young people in marginalized areas by offering hands-on vocational skills locally relevant to their communities’ needs, which can translate into immediate income. The training went far beyond what she had learned in her mother’s salon. Ujuzi Manyattani introduced her to contemporary trends in beauty and personal care, expanding her expertise to include beauty therapy, such as makeup, manicures, and pedicures. Jackline quickly distinguished herself among the top performers in her cohort, propelled by a desire to elevate her craft to a professional level.
Upon graduating, Jackline wasn’t looking for a job; she was returning to one. Her sister, who had been managing the family salon, passed the baton to Jackline and was ready for its next phase. She made immediate upgrades to the salon, starting with the tools she received through the Ujuzi Manyattani program to redefine the customer experience. She replaced the small wall-mounted mirror with a full-sized one, added a blow dryer and a sink for improved hair treatment services, and hair clippers to begin offering barbering, an in-demand service in the area.
These changes might seem small, but they made a world of difference in both the quality of service she could provide and how customers viewed her business. She didn’t need to win the community’s trust from scratch. They already knew her first as the young girl helping around the salon, later as a trained stylist with new skills to offer. In Kiwanja, where only two other salons operate, competition is limited, and Jackline’s reputation gives her a natural edge. She’s precise, whether it’s lines for schoolgirls, plaits for weekend weddings, or a fresh shave for the boys, she does it all with passion, making sitting on her salon chair something to look forward to.
On a regular day, she sees four to five customers, though that number often rises during peak periods, such as school openings and community events. Her mother, still very much part of this evolving journey, often steps in to help during these high-traffic days. On a good day, Jackline can make anywhere from Ksh. 800 to Ksh. 3,000, depending on the number of customers she serves.
Now, her income is directed to savings, but she still manages to set something aside for her younger siblings’ pocket money and help out with the little things that add up in a household, such as restocking sugar when it runs out or picking up flour on her way home. Her entrepreneurial spirit also pushed her to start selling shoes, clothes, and beads from her salon, which is another way to earn extra money.
Jackline dreams of expanding her salon into a larger space to accommodate more customers and offer additional services.
Loimap Lekula’s education journey was cut short in grade 6.
Perennial drought in Sasaab Village, Samburu County, where he lived with his parents, forced the now 29-year-old father of four and devoted husband to take care of his family’s livestock instead. For many years after he dropped out of school, Lekula’s days revolved around herding and grazing his family’s livestock across the vast northern Kenya rangelands. Often, he would trek long distances in search of pasture, while protecting the animals from harsh conditions and predators.
This was his routine until 2021, when he learnt about the Ufugaji Bora Mashinani Programme, run by MashinaniWORKS through West Gate Community Conservancy. Lekula decided to enroll, alongside 299 other herders.
The Program’s first training session covered livestock breeding and quickly became his favorite, as he learnt how to improve his livestock’s productivity through selective breeding. Inspired by this knowledge, Lekula purchased a Galla she-goat, a breed renowned for its superior quality. This decision increased Lekula’s milk production and improved his family’s nutritional health, instilling a sense of pride he had never experienced before.
The training also deepened Lekula’s understanding of climate change, a major challenge for pastoralists in northern Kenya. He learnt adaptation strategies, including preserving feed and breeding more resilient livestock. Having previously lost nearly all his cattle to drought, Lekula, who currently owns 20 goats and two cows, felt more prepared than ever to face the prolonged dry seasons that once decimated his herd.
“Not long ago, I had 20 cows and lost all but three to drought,” Lekula vividly recalls. “That huge loss taught me to adapt to our changing environment, and now I know how to prevent such losses.”
Loimap Lekula
The Ufugaji Bora Mashinani Programme appointed Lekula as a Livestock Marketing Agent (LMA). To enable him to conduct his responsibilities, he was issued a solar-powered smartphone through which he communicates and collects data. As an LMA, he disseminates information on market trends, the condition of grazing lands, and livestock health to other herders.
On the 20th of March, Lekula graduated alongside other herders at a spectacular ceremony to celebrate their completion of three years of training. When he received his certificate, he saw more than a piece of paper. For him, the certificate symbolised the dawn of a new era—an opportunity to help his community, share the knowledge he had gained, and break the cycle of poverty that had held him back for so long. Lekula realised he no longer was just a herder. Now, he was a trained professional with the skills to make a real difference in West Gate Community Conservancy.
Loimap Lekula receives his certificate of completion from the Ufugaji Bora Mashinani program on the 20th of March, 2024.
After his graduation, Lekula joined a 30-member self-help group where he and his peers engage in various income-generating activities, including beading, selling livestock, and running small businesses. The group pools members’ earnings into a joint account, which creates a financial safety net that increases their resilience and provides timely support during difficult times.
Beyond livestock farming and the self-help group’s activities, Lekula has ventured into poultry farming—a role traditionally perceived as reserved for women. Having begun with a modest flock, he now owns 55 chickens and regularly receives orders for eggs and meat. He reinvests the additional income in his goat herd, further increasing his financial stability.
Lekula envisions a future where every herder has a stable income and the skills to adapt to climate change, prevent losses, and secure fair livestock prices in the market. He strives to inspire the next generation and ensure that his children—and every child in his community—has access to nutritious food and better education.
At the age of 10, Alice Shakinei from Masol Community Conservancy in West Pokot County experienced a severe reaction in her right leg following a polio injection during a clinic visit.
Her family sought treatment from community herbalists, and after several failed attempts, took her back to the hospital. Unfortunately for Alice, it was too late. She was left with a disability that physically restricted her in multiple ways. Determined to rise above her circumstances, Alice grew up to become an industrious lady who today runs her own petroleum business.
On a typical day, you will find her cheerfully filling up her jerry-cans with petroleum, ready to serve her customers. Before she established her business, Alice was a stay-at-home mother with no source of income, and was left to raise her children by herself after her husband left.
“At that moment, I knew that the children were looking up to me as their provider, so I decided to start selling petrol and diesel on people’s verandas. It took me two years before I secured a space.”
In 2019, Alice used a Ksh 25,000 loan from Rangelands SACCO to grow her business. As the sole fuel supplier in her area, which lacks a petrol station, the demand for her products and services has risen. On a good day, she makes up to Ksh 10,000 and on an average day, up to Ksh 6,000.
The business training Alice received from Biashara Mashinani played a crucial role in the expansion of her business. “I had the skills and a bit of knowledge, but what I was taught was not even close to half what I knew. Learning budgeting, proper business planning, record keeping, and time management helped me,” she explains.
Alice is not immune to the stigma associated with her condition. “People have said negative things about me, but at the end of the day, I know that I am the only one who can help my children and myself.” Additionally, Alice’s limited mobility causes her to lose customers sometimes, as deliveries are unsuccessful or delayed.
These challenges would discourage many, but not Alice, now 37. She draws strength from knowing she has built a safe home for her three children and ensured they have access to education and other basic necessities. Alice aspires to own a petrol station and serve customers from all parts of the country. Her advice to young girls and women is, “Prioritise venturing into business, embrace everything that comes with it, and do not let anything stop you from achieving your goals.”
Born into a Turkana family in a remote village in northern Kenya’s Isiolo County, Jonathan Nawapa’s early life was shaped by financial crisis.
In a desperate attempt to improve their circumstances, Jonathan’s family relocated to the outskirts of Isiolo Town. However, escalating living costs and the difficulties of adjusting to a new environment compelled Jonathan’s parents to make tough decisions, including discontinuing Jonathan’s education.
Consequently, he withdrew from school after completing Grade 7. Ever since he was a little boy, Jonathan had been fascinated by the art of fixing things. Now that he had plenty of free time, he spent countless hours working beside his uncle, who often repaired household equipment such as radios, and learnt by observing each step.
As fate would have it, Jonathan’s uncle passed away, and he felt the loss deeply. Death had robbed him of a mentor. Despite his devastation, Jonathan followed in the footsteps of his uncle and began repairing small gadgets in the house, including watches and radios. Having no access to electricity, he adopted his uncle’s improvisational techniques. He would heat a five-cent coin on a charcoal stove, then use it as a makeshift soldering tool to connect wires. His ingenuity did not go unnoticed. Over time, the community began to turn to him for assistance fixing broken equipment.
After turning 20, Jonathan sought ways to learn the intricacies of equipment repair and lift his family out of poverty. In Isiolo Town, he met an experienced technician who took him under his wing as an apprentice for five years. During this period, he learnt to repair a variety of home appliances. His interest was piqued, and he dreamed of expanding his skill set to include mobile phone repair.
Jonathan’s big break came when a Leparua Community Conservancy board member noticed his dedication and informed him of the ICEP-funded Ujuzi Manyattani vocational training programme. Without hesitation, Jonathan enrolled in the mobile phone repair and maintenance course. The next three months were life-changing for him, as he learned essential repair techniques from a professional TVET trainer.
On February 13, 2024, 140 trainees graduated from Ujuzi Manyattani, and Jonathan was among them. Like the other graduates, Jonathan was issued a certificate and a start-up toolkit, enabling him to establish a business right after graduation. Soon after, he joined a Village Savings and Loans Association and borrowed Ksh 30,000 (USD 232.55) to rent a small workshop and purchase additional tools.
Today, Jonathan’s shop is a bustling hub of electronic repairs, attracting nearby clients as well as those from neighboring Samburu and Marsabit Counties, who send in their devices via bus. He earns at least Ksh 3,000 daily (approximately USD 23.25) and up to Ksh 10,000 (approximately USD 77.51) for complex repairs, such as fixing television screens.
Jonathan shares his workshop with a business partner. Their combined expertise enables them to expand their service offering, which ranges from repairing phones, thermostats, coils, cables, and kettle fuses to fixing television backlights, motherboards, power supplies, and screens.
Jonathan envisions stocking the workshop with spare parts to reduce costs and training youth in his community. He aspires to create opportunities for others like him to learn profitable skills, so they too can improve their livelihoods, just as he has.
Rangelands SACCO held its 7th Annual Delegates Meeting (ADM) on February 18, 2025, in Archers Post, Samburu County. Attended by key officials, including Said Roba, the Cooperative Auditor, and Diramu Guyo, the Cooperative Officer for Isiolo County, the event brought together conservancy managers, chairpersons, and delegates representing SACCO members from 39 NRT member community conservancies.
The ADM’s primary objective was to discuss financial statements and budgets, declare dividends, and provide an update on the SACCO’s progress and strategic plans. It served as a platform for members to engage with the SACCO leadership, express their aspirations, and gain insights into financial strategies that would benefit them. Discussions centered around the organization’s financial performance, governance, and outlook for the coming year.
Paramase Lesanagi receives his certificate as the Best Male Saver of the year 2024
One of the most notable highlights was the presentation of the financial report, which showcased impressive growth. Corporate assets surged from KES 214 million to KES 238 million within a year. Member deposits also saw a sharp increase, rising from KES 3 million to KES 7 million, indicating growing confidence in the SACCO’s ability to safeguard and grow its members’ savings. Additionally, the dividend payout rose significantly, increasing from KES 2.6 million at a 7% rate last year to KES 6.8 million at a 15% rate this year.
As part of its member engagement and motivation approach, Rangelands SACCO celebrated outstanding contributions by recognizing and awarding the best-performing members and conservancies for the financial year 2024;
Paramase Lesanagi – Best Male Saver
Rukia Hadufo Gafo – Best Female Saver
Josephine Nater – Best Loan Borrower
Dade Roba – Most Supportive Enterprise Community Agent
Rukia Hadufo Guyo receives her certificate from MashinaniWORKS Chief Economic Programs Officer and Diramu Guyo, the Cooperative Officer for Isiolo County.
“I am a businesswoman and own a retail shop that has significantly helped me earn an income and set aside some for savings. I plan to continue saving consistently, expand my shop, and build my own rental properties.“ – Rukia Gafo, Lower Tana Delta Conservancy, Tana River County
Westgate was honored as the Best Overall Conservancy, Jaldesa was recognized as the Most Improved Conservancy, and Kirimon received the title of Most Promising Conservancy. These awards aim to recognize and appreciate strong board and management leadership in the conservancies that drive sustainability and positive mindset change towards self-reliance. Strong leadership at the conservancy level has culminated in savings and membership mobilization, which ultimately strengthen financial inclusion and economic empowerment for the communities in the conservancies.
The meeting also included a detailed review of the proposed 2025 budget, which the SACCO treasurer presented. Members had the opportunity to examine the proposed financial plan before formally approving it, with various members proposing and seconding the resolutions. This level of engagement ensured that the financial direction of the SACCO was shaped collectively.
Overview of the Rangelands SACCO: Tujipange Kimaisha
Rangelands SACCO has evolved significantly since its establishment in 2016. Originally known as Northern Rangelands SACCO, the organization rebranded to Rangelands SACCO to better serve members beyond northern Kenya, particularly those in coastal areas, and to expand its operations beyond conservancies, embracing a broader membership base. According to Diramu Guyo, the Cooperative Officer for Isiolo County, today, it stands as one of the most compliant SACCOs in Isiolo County, adhering to all legal frameworks, conducting regular elections, and strictly following SACCO bylaws.
As a flagship initiative incubated by MashinaniWORKS, Rangelands SACCO has so far disbursed KES 235 million to finance over 5,800 businesses at the grassroots level. According to a recent impact survey, these businesses have contributed to improved incomes for communities, injecting over KES 1.6 billion annually into the local economies.
With its over 6,300 members, access to various loan products is tailored to meet different financial needs. The Shikilia Loan offers support to members with existing loans who need an additional financial boost, with a limit of KES 30,000. Business loans, ranging from KES 25,000 to KES 1 million, enable entrepreneurs to expand their enterprises, while development loans cater to non-business-related financial needs within the same range. The emergency loan provides up to KES 50,000 in quick-access funding for those facing urgent financial challenges.
With a strong emphasis on empowering its members through savings and investment opportunities guiding communities to plan and secure their financial futures, Rangelands SACCO continues to establish itself as a key driver of financial growth in communities across the ASALs of northern and coastal Kenya.
Business partnerships have long been a powerful force for success, allowing individuals to pool their strengths, share risks, and create something far greater than what could be achieved alone. In many ways, collaboration can be the cornerstone of building sustainable ventures, particularly in regions where access to resources and capital is limited.
Settled under the shade of an iron sheet roofing, a small team of young men huddles together, tools in hand, working on a motorbike – Shadrack Kinyanjui, Amos Legalhaile, Joram Lemirgichan & Daddy Lemerketo are Ujuzi Manyattani graduates who, with the support of Basecamp Foundation, completed a three-month training in motorcycle repair and maintenance.
Shadrack Kinyanjui, known by his Samburu moniker ‘Lekokoyo,’ was born and raised in Sereolipi. He is the drive behind this partnership, and before joining the program, he was a boda boda operator. His motorbike would often break down in remote areas, far from any garage, leaving him frustrated and stranded. Each time, he would incur additional costs for labor and transport of mechanics who had to come from far away. The worst part? He could do nothing about it. “There were times I would come across a fellow rider stuck in the middle of nowhere with a broken-down bike, but I couldn’t help them. I had no idea how to fix anything,” Shadrack recalls.
Driven by the desire to solve these problems, Shadrack yearned for skills that could help him and others in his community. When he heard about Ujuzi Manyattani, a program that brings vocational training directly to the communities, he jumped at the opportunity, a decision that turned out to be life-changing. After graduating in June 2024, Shadrack didn’t just hold onto his toolkit—he had a bigger vision. Noticing a gap in qualified mechanics in his home area, he gathered his three friends, all fellow graduates from the course, and together, they set up a small garage for repair services outside an auto spares shop. “Working together has been a good decision,” Shadrack says. “Shared responsibilities and helping each other out. One may be good at wiring, while the other at fixing clutches.”
Shadrack repairs a motorcycle at their garage in Sereolipi, Samburu County
However, the path wasn’t easy. The young men faced skepticism from locals who hesitated to trust their expertise, fearing they were too new to the craft. But they’ve persisted, working hard to prove their worth. On good days, they receive 5-6 customers, earning around KES 1,000 per day each, while on slower days, they focus on smaller jobs like fixing punctures for KES 100. They also began offering mobile services, traveling to remote areas to fix bikes where other mechanics couldn’t reach. It’s this determination to serve their community that has slowly earned them a growing customer base.
Their business is still young, but their dreams are big. They’re currently training a fellow youth, passing on the skills learned through Ujuzi Manyattani. In the future, they dream of expanding their business, opening their own auto spares shop, and eventually establishing individual enterprises, continuing to grow and share in each other’s success.
What started as a three-month course has become a lifelong empowerment and entrepreneurship journey for these four young men. Through collaboration and a shared vision, they are not just fixing bikes but also breaking the cycle of poverty and unemployment in their community.
