Christine Reitelshöfer, second deputy state farmer and district farmer of Middle Franconia and Angelika Eberl, project manager of BBV-LIZ meet with rural women in Kenya from 8th to 18thMarch.
Our journey to the Bavarian rural women's project in Kenya began on the outward flight on 8 March 2022 with a good omen. On the occasion of International Women's Day, the long-haul Lufthansa flight took off to Nairobi with an all-women crew. We had a very pleasant flight and a safe landing.
From left: Christine Reitelshöfer, the two female pilots and Angelika Eberl.
Two items were on our agenda: a) Participation in the second Rural Women's Days in Western Kenya in the counties Kakamega, Siaya and Bungoma.
b) Official inaugural visits to the County Governments of the four new counties.
Our travel team in Western Kenya: From left: Dr Marystella Wabwoba, freelancer BBV-LIZ, Christine Reitelshöfer, Irene Sikuku, freelancer BBV-LIZ, Leah Wanja, second executive director of WoFaAK Nairobi and Angelika Eberl.
Early in the morning of 9 March, we flew on to Kisumu - and drove straight from there to the Agricultural Training Centre in Bukura, Kakamega County, where the WoFaAK Kakamega Rural Women's Day was to take place.
The members arrived with rented school buses and gathered at the market place of Bukura for the joint march to the festival meadow. There, large open tents had been erected under which the approximately 300 guests could sit comfortably in the shade. So the protocol was also followed because of Corona.
It was 31°C and the sun was beating down mercilessly.
Florence Omutimba, representative of the region "Western Kenya" gave interviews to the invited representatives of the press, radio and local TV station.
Afterwards, the lobby document was officially handed over to the Director of Agriculture of Kakamega. In it, the WoFaAK women demand the improvement of the currently inadequate extension service of the Agriculture Office. The advisors are far too few and their knowledge is outdated. In addition, there is a lack of equipment, e.g. transport. Currently, one extension worker is responsible for 1380 farms. That is far too many, as our women state, the key is 500 farms/advisor. The rural women are ready to secure food in their country - however, they need guidance and support, for example, to implement climate-friendly agriculture. This lobby topic was also chosen by the women in Siaya and Bungoma. The initial situation is very similar in all three counties. The event ended with a joint lunch in the afternoon.
On 10 March we met for the countrywomen's day in Siaya. The special thing in Siaya this time was also the presentations of the 27 member groups. Here we were struck by the many young women who took part in the Landwomen's Day. The WoFaAK manages to appeal to all generations.
Under shady trees, they displayed their range of products. What a colourful sight - chickens, rabbits, fruit and vegetables, pulses, homemade peanut butter, energy drinks made from beetroot, ginger and cane sugar, self-woven mats and bags. Here the motto of the WoFaAK is completely true: We are the countrywomen - we feed the world.
After the welcome by Carren Odhiambo, the chairperson of WoFaAK Siaya, there was a short skit about the responsibility of the whole village for the education of the children and youth.
We found it nice that chairpersons of the self-help groups reported on their work, what they had put together and how WoFaAK had supported them. Here are a few quotes: "Raise your children equally, whether boy or girl!
Women don't rely on the man, otherwise you won't have food!
In a successful home, the woman is always the manager."
From left Christine Reitelshöfer, Leah Wanja, Deputy Executive Director of WoFaAK Nairobi and Carren Odhiambo.
The next day we appeared in Kabula for the Rural Women's Day of the WoFaAK Bungoma.
Here we had the unique opportunity to be welcomed on a red carpet and to address our greetings to the numerous rural women from there.
The executive committee had invited many guests of honour, who all came, but some had to move on to the next event because of the upcoming elections. At least the Director of Agriculture had some good news for the women: this year 30 and next year 100 new counsellors with university degrees would be recruited. All of them would be provided with laptops, motorbikes and enough fuel. If that is not a word.
Summing up the three days: - 950 rural women enjoyed the day, had "free" time and had lively exchanges with like-minded people. - Good public relations work by WoFaAK through numerous reports especially in the social media, on the radio and on a local TV station. - The three executive committees did an excellent job preparing these days.
Given the success in the Western Region, BBV-LIZ received approval to expand the project area to support the establishment of WoFaAK in four more counties, Murang'a, Embu, Meru and Tharaka-Nithi, in Central and Eastern Kenya.
In order to start canvassing interested women's groups, we (WoFaAK and BBV-LIZ) first had to make courtesy visits to the district governments of the four counties to introduce ourselves and our concerns and to get approval to work with the district governments through the respective Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives.
We, that was a great team of women consisting of. Lynette Gakii, Programme Officer WoFaAK, Daphne Muchai, Executive Director WoFaAK, Angelika Eberl, Christine Reitelshöfer and Leah Wanjha, Programme Officer WoFaAK.
In Embu County, the team together with the Embu County Champion, Ms Winifred Murithi, (2nd from right) met the Embu County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, Mr Suleiman Kariuki and the County Officer Agriculture and Cooperative. The team was warmly welcomed and Mr Kariuki promised to support WoFaAK activities in the county.
On 16 March 2022, the team accompanied by the Meru Champion, Ms Florence Kinoti (far left) met with the County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture, Livestock and Cooperatives, Ms Caroline Mutiga. The team received a very warm welcome. Ms Daphne introduced WoFaAK and its activities as well as the new project to the CEC. Angelika Eberl gave an overview of the previous work and successes in Western Kenya and the planned activities in the new counties.
Ms Mutiga recommended WoFaAK to present its activities to the cross-sectoral County Agricultural Sector Steering Committee (CASSCOM) as soon as possible. This is to ensure that the county government does not overlap or duplicate funding of projects and programmes at the county level and to increase agricultural productivity across the county. Ms Mutinga promised to support WoFaAK and agreed to lead the way in the region.
On 15 and 16 March 2022, the WoFaAK National Executive Committee met for the first time in two years for a board meeting in presence in Meru. We participated partly. The project manager gave an overview of the first phase of BBV-LIZ activities in Western Kenya and the expansion of activities in Central and Eastern Kenya during the second phase. She emphasised the need for a common voice, transparency, professionalism and advocacy for the growth of WoFaAK and rural women. She informed the board of plans to build WoFaAK's capacity through training, the purchase of membership database software and basic office equipment.
Christine Reitelshöfer compared the WoFaAK to a tree. She urged members to ensure a constant exchange of information between the leaves and the roots to ensure growth and strength. She also stressed the need for a strong voice, education for all women, advocacy and ensuring constant change despite challenges. She also pointed out the need for independence at all levels, transparency and networking, which have also been crucial to the growth and success of BBV.
... and on the last day, shortly before our departure, we had an important meeting with the Kenyan Farmers' Association, KENAFF. The main point here was to bring each other up to date on the latest developments. We agreed to continue to use our respective synergies and to combine them in a coherent framework for the benefit of Kenyan women farmers.
From left: Angelika Eberl, Daphne Muchai, Christine Reitelshöfer, Dr Mwenda Mailutha, Executive Director of KENAFF, Susan Rotich, Docas Gibran and Jennifer Murogosho, representatives of the Women Summit of KENAFF.
Conclusion:
We were very happy to meet all "our" women again in good health. We had many good conversations, saw and learned new things and look forward to the next reunion.
