In Kajiado youth have been supported to grow rainfed and high value crops such as sunflower, onions and tomatoes. The programme has also been tailormade to empower the youth by giving them access to land, inputs, learning content and infrastructure.

“There is an opportunity for us to create employment for youth and increase their productivity in the agricultural sector. Through this programme, we are reinforcing that farming is a viable and dignified source of livelihood, not a retirement option,” said Frankline Okata, Trustee, Safaricom Foundation.

Statistics from the Ministry of Agriculture’s Sector Transformation and Growth Strategy show that agriculture contributes to 33% of total GDP, 60 % of informal employment and 60% of exports. The latest census data shows that 39 % of youth eligible for hire are unemployed.

“This programme is part of our economic empowerment pillar where we seek to provide opportunities for youth to become productive self-reliant citizens,” Okata said.

The youth also have access to input loans of between KES 5,000 – KES 20,000 depending on the value chain with those producing high value crops also receiving financial support to increase access to water and improve irrigation systems.

Additionally, the programme provides the farmers access to a guaranteed market for their produce at favourable rates. The pilot programme has been running for 5 months with a view of scaling it up to other parts of the country thereafter.

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Ademasajida Health Centre received a full haemogram machine for blood testing and analysis as well as antenatal care equipment worth KES 1.2 million while Mathalibah Dispensary had monitoring equipment worth KES 500,000 donated through the Ndoto Zetu initiative.

Dif Old Dam, Busbus and LMD Primary Schools each received a classroom worth KES 1 million to ease congestion and eliminate learning under trees among pupils. Sarif Primary School pupils got books worth KES 100, 000 from the Ndoto Zetu initiative enabling access to learning materials while Ademasajida Secondary School benefitted from a renovated and equipped science laboratory worth KES 1 million.

“Safaricom Foundation has a footprint in all the 47 counties; here in Wajir County, we saw the need to partner with communities to enable access to education and healthcare. Improving these services will go a long way in bridging gaps these communities have to overcome in their every day, “said Joe Ogutu, Chairman, Safaricom Foundation.

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Among the schools are Katiko Primary School which got 5 new classrooms and Jeriman Lokitaung which received 2 classrooms. Nariding Nursery School and Katongun Mission Station each had one classroom constructed and furnished.

Lolobo, Lokutumo and Loreamatet Primary Schools each had one classroom constructed and furnished under the Accelerated Learning Programme (ALP), a literacy and numeracy programme being implemented by Safaricom Foundation and Zizi Afrique Foundation. Nakiria Primary School also had a library constructed under the ALP Programme.

“Safaricom Foundation intervened in these schools to support pupils access a conducive environment for learning as most were learning under trees and makeshift structures. We are also looking to improve the literacy levels of children in this county through the Accelerated Learning Programme we are implementing with Zizi Afrique Foundation. We believe that education is one of the ways to transform lives, “said Joe Ogutu, Chairman, Safaricom Foundation.

Learners in Katilu Mixed Primary School also received desks and chairs, while visually impaired students in Katilu Integrated Primary School benefitted from furnishing works. Kilokony Eboyor, a local community organization, was equipped with more than 500 books for learners they support.

The total investment in the school projects was KES 21 million.

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The sanitation booths have been installed at Kenya’s border to Tanzania at Isebania in Migori County and at the Ugandan border in Bungoma and Busia Counties. Additionally, ferry users will benefit from booths set up in Homabay and Siaya Counties. In Kisii County, the sanitation booths have been set up at the main bus stage, the Migori-Kisii-Homabay junction, and the Nairobi-Kericho-Nyamira transit.

“We are aware that cross border infections are one of the weak links that exist as well as crowded areas such as the ferry and bus stops. This is the reason we decided to put up sanitation booths in these places to minimize the risks,” said Joseph Ogutu, Chairman, Safaricom Foundation.

An estimated 60,000 people are expected to use the sanitation booths daily across the six counties. The booths were installed at a cost of KES 1.1 million.

“We are glad to have partnered with Safaricom Foundation on this project which prioritizes hygiene among vulnerable communities. We hope that the booths will help reduce the spread of the virus,” said Stella Mbuga, Operations Officer, Scope International. 

Safaricom Foundation has been actively involved in efforts to help people cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. In Uasin Gishu County, the Foundation donated personal protective equipment to health workers while students in Kawangware and Dandora received devices for e-learning purposes.

Safaricom has already donated KES200 Million through the Safaricom and M-PESA Foundations towards providing Cash transfers for food to support vulnerable communities as well as thermal cameras worth KES 10 million to the Ministry of Health installed in various border entry points.

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