A famous Kitui community-based organisation Kyalo Kya Maendeeo (KKM), that has also engaged hundreds of women groups in weaving traditional Kamba baskets, has entered into partnership with Kitui County Government, United Nations, and a German investor in quest to secure the global market of the locally crafted baskets.
The partnership, which will also oversee the product’s access in the global market, is set to economically empower thousands of women operating under the famous CBO known as Kyalo kya Maendeeo (KKM).
Speaking during the partnership’s official groundbreaking fete, which was also graced by representatives of the three actors at the CBO’s operation center in Ngiini village in the outskirts of Kitui Township, KKM CBO founder Mr Augustine Kyalo Muli lauded the alliance terming it as an economic empowerment breakthrough for the rural based mothers.
“The primary objective of this alliance is to secure a robust market for the contemporary woven basket crafted by women groups across Kitui county,” said Mr Augustine Kyalo.
The collaboration efforts seek to uplift livelihoods and empower local women groups and other artisans engaged in weaving the said rare modern baskets.
The strategic patronship follows the Kyalo Kya Maendeeo community-based organization’s recent exhibition at Nairobi international Trade fair where the CBO showcased its innovation on modern baskets weaving, and thus attracted attention of the international interested actors, including the German investor and United Nations (UN).
During the ceremony, the speakers applauded the collaboration of the four strategic partners, that is the founder the Kyalo Kya Maendeeo community-based organization, Kitui County Government, United Nations, and German investor.
The representatives of the four strategic partners promised to seek international market for the CBO’s skillfully woven basket in efforts to promote social economic empowerment for the women and other artisans engaged in modern basket weaving across the Kitui county.
Kitui county committee member for trade Mrs Rose Mawia, while speaking during the ceremony reiterated the county government’s commitment and enthusiasm in supporting activities aimed at economic empowerment for women and local artisans, as it’s also in governor Dr Julius Malombe manifesto.
Entry of the local modern woven baskets into international market, will significantly empower thousands of women economically as well as improve their living standards.
Basket weaving is among economic activities undertaken by the local women groups for income generating programs across Kitui county, but market for the baskets has been the major challenge thus this partnership becoming a big breakthrough.
By Denson Mututo
