The Kenya Seed Company (KSC) has dispatched seeds worth Sh. 200,000 to youths in West Pokot and Marakwet Counties, in an effort to disengage them from outdated practice.
The company’s Managing Director (MD), Azariah Soi, while speaking during the flagging off the seeds consignment at the company’s offices in Kitale said that his company was joining other stake holders in engaging the youths in the region to embrace agriculture.
This is part of the rehabilitation efforts by stakeholders to rehabilitate ex-warriors, so that they change from the harmful culture that has left many dead and property lost in the volatile valley.
Soi said that the seed will be distributed to a group of 100 youths from the Marakwet and Pokot communities, who have deserted cattle rustling to farming.
“We are committed to supporting the youths to engage in meaningful agricultural activities as opposed to war. We will also offer them technical information, to realize better yields,” he said as he flagged off the consignment.
He further said the initiative will aid the company in supporting President Uhuru Kenyatta’s food security initiative, by ensuring the warring communities devote their time to farming.
“We have also been affected as a company, since our seed production in the region has been affected as a result of the war. Restoring peace will enable our production in the region to get back on feet,” said Soi.
The head of the National Police Service’s Peace and Reconciliation wing, Robison Ndiema who was at the function welcomed the initiative, saying it will assist the rehabilitated warriors become important members of society.
“We thank the Kenya seed company for the gesture, as this will go a long way in promoting security in the war like regions. An empowered warrior will not go to war,” said Ndiema.
He added they plan to engage in other farming activities like growing pastures, adding that the move will help keep the warriors busy and reduce cases of cattle rustling.
