News Brief A Quarterly Publication of Kenya Coastal Development Project April - June 2015 Issue No. 5 Vol 2 H.E Eng. John Mtuta Mruttu, the Governor of Taita Taveta County viewing exhibits during SME Open day. The KCDP Component in support for Alternative Livelihoods Component of KCDP organized Open Days in Kwale and Taita Taveta counties for the Small and Medium Enteprises (SMEs) that received training on business management skills . Open Days geared at providing a platform to the SMEs to interact with service providers and County Government on availability of business services and promotion of SMEs. The SME open days were organized and conducted by Coast Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with KCDP implementing agencies. More support in implementing the activity was received from the County Governments of Kwale and Taita Taveta, Allwins Packaging International and financial institutions such as KCB- Kwale, Rafiki Bank-Likoni, Teachers Sacco-Wundanyi and Imarika Sacco. The open days provided necessary In this issue • A Day of Songs and Dance in Kilifi County • Empowering the Vulnarable and Marginalised Groups from the Coastal Region • Msitu Women group: Improving livelihoods through conservation • 7th Meeting of the KCDP Steering Commitee • KCDP Interns exit in style • Status of KCDP: 3-Qs • Successful Community Projects under HMP begin to emerge • Entrepreneur turned Village Elder Small medium Enteprises Open Days Continues on page 2
Transcript
News BriefA Quarterly Publication of Kenya Coastal Development Project
April - June 2015 Issue No. 5 Vol 2
H.E Eng. John Mtuta Mruttu, the Governor of Taita Taveta County viewing exhibits during SME Open day.
The KCDP Component in support for Alternative Livelihoods Component of KCDP organized Open Days in Kwale and Taita Taveta counties for the Small and Medium Enteprises (SMEs) that received training on business management skills . Open Days geared at providing a platform to the SMEs to interact with service providers and County Government on availability of business services and promotion of
SMEs. The SME open days were organized and conducted by Coast Development Authority (CDA) in collaboration with KCDP implementing agencies. More support in implementing the activity was received from the County Governments of Kwale and Taita Taveta, Allwins Packaging International and financial institutions such as KCB- Kwale, Rafiki Bank-Likoni, Teachers Sacco-Wundanyi and Imarika Sacco. The open days provided necessary
In this issue• ADayofSongsandDanceinKilifi
County• Empowering the Vulnarable and
Marginalised Groups from the Coastal Region
• Msitu Women group: Improving livelihoods through conservation
• 7th Meeting of the KCDP Steering Commitee • KCDP Interns exit in style • Status of KCDP: 3-Qs• Successful Community Projects under HMP
begin to emerge• Entrepreneur turned Village Elder
Small medium Enteprises Open Days
Continues on page 2
2 І KCDP NEWS
ADayofSongsandDanceinMagarini,KilifiCounty
The team of reviewers from Development Impact Consulting (DIC) firm visited projects undertaken by communities in the coastal counties of Kenya – Lamu, Kilifi, Tana River, Mombasa, Taita Taveta and Kwale. The outcome of the review provided useful recommendations that determined how
KCDP will be implemented to successful conclusion.
Among the team initiatives that was visited by the review was the Magarini Disabilities Community Development Project. This Community Project received a grant to construct two class rooms through Hazina ya Maendeleo ya Pwani (HMP),in order to enhance education opportunities for vulnerable children in Mpirani Ward of Magarini Constituency in Kilifi County. Members of the Project entertained the visitors with traditional songs and dance in praise of the progress attained so far.
Development Impact Consulting Firm Meeting members of Magarini Disability Community Development Project During the Mid Term Review
sensitization to SMEs on available financial and business development services. In the process, they opened more opportunities for them to access devolved funds currently administered at the county level. The open forum provided SMEs with a platform to discuss and identify business investment opportunities available in their counties and across various sectors. During the Open days, service providers promoted and provided their services and products to the SMEs thus reducing the costs of operation. There was networking between the SMEs and the County Government trade departments which necessitated for further engagement for both sides on their specific needs. The forum therefore was appropriate for strengthening partnerships that will lead to more support for the SMEs.
Way forward:• Conduct similar SME open days f o r
o t h e r c o u n t i e s t o p r o m o t e financial and market linkages
• Conduct continuous SME consultative and exchange fora with the County Government and the private sector for targeted interventions
• KCDP and the County Biashara Centers
Mr. Bungale Masoud, Kwale County Chief Officer for Trade, Industry and Investment viewing exhibits during
the Kwale SME open day
in Ukunda and Voi to undertake joint Business Development Studies (BDS)promotion programmes and jointly organize future Open days
• Conduct exchange programmes for SMEs in collaboration with the County Governments as one way of promoting Joint Ventures and value addition
• Sensitize and mobilize SMEs on the formation of formal groups with the support of Micro and Small Enterprises Authority so as to benefit from available government tenders.
3 І KCDP NEWS
Mr. Peter Odote, Head of Quality Control at KMFRI takes the Ambassador and her delegation through the operations in the value addition laboratory.
By Nyamongo Griffin and Pili Chimerah
KCDP engaged members of the community from the Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups (VMGs) from 25th to 29th of May 2015 at Mombasa Beach Hotel, Mombasa County. The agenda of the workshop was to enable the community stakeholders understand objectives of KCDP and to develop action plans for KCDP support.
The involvement of the VMGs in the project implementation was informed by a social assessment report that was conducted by the consultancy firm Natural Resources Management Enterprise Services (NAREM). The firm visited the six coastal counties to find out whether the people knew about the KCDP, what kind of projects the communities, especially the VMGs, would like implemented in their respective areas. NAREM also assured the impact of the project thus far. Some of the VMGs represented in the workshop included: Munyoyaya, Illwana and Waatha in Tana River County, Waatha in Kilifi, Kwale and Taita Taveta Counties, Wakifundi and Wachwaka in Kwale County, Boni/Aweer and Saanye in Lamu County.
NAREM presented their findings to the VMG community representatives during the workshop. They made recommendations on
the draft social assessment, draft vulnerable and marginalized groups’ plans and draft complaints handling mechanisms. The essence of the presentation was to recieve feedback and incorporate any views from the communities that may have been left out during the field assessment. Community members were requested to identify and prioritize the projects they would wish to be implemented in their areas by coming up with action plans which they presented during the workshop. They also identified channels of communication between KCDP and members of these VMGs. Another key area discussed during the workshop was the mechanism of conflict resolution. Cross-cutting priority projects proposed by the communities included water supply, building of cultural centers, educational facilities and capacity building. The KCDP Project Coordinator assured the communities that the project will try its best within the remaining project period to assist them once the necessary structures have been put in place.
Kenya Forest Research Institute (KEFRI) and National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) representatives promised their full support in implementing the projects. The two are part of the KCDP implementing agencies.
Group photo of representatives of the vulnerable and marginalized groups (VMGs) from Kwale, Taita Taveta and Kilifi Counties with KMFRI and KCDP management staff.
Empowering the Vulnarable and Marginalised Groups from the Coastal Region
Msitu Women Group: Improving livelihoods through conservation
4 І KCDP NEWS
Background information: The group is based in Gede, Kilifi County. The group started in 2011 and was registered with the Ministry of social works. The objective of the group is to improve livelihoods of members while conserving the environment. The group started with bee keeping as an initiative to generate income to curb the high poverty levels. It started with 25 registered members but due to low income from honey then and the original time taken before honey harvesting, 14 of the members left the group and ventured into other small scale businesses. To date, the group consists of 11 active members all of them women. To enhance income generation, the group shifted focus on raising tree seedlings towards the end of 2011. The group rented a piece of land in order to establish a commercial tree nursery for high value indigenous and exotic species.
KCDP Support: The group learnt about KCDP and requested KEFRI for training on nursery establishment and management to maximize production. Even after the training, the group still had a lot of challengessuch as abscence of reliable source of water near their nursery. Additionaly given the livelihood status of most of its members they could not procure a lot of nursery inputs. Despite the challenges, the group was committed to seedlings
production, and was selected in 2012 to recieve support from KCDP. KCDP provided the group with nursery inputs including, seeds, potting tubes, water connection and water tanks. They were further trained on tree nursery establishment and management. Currently Msitu women group raises seedlings for over 15 species of indigenous and exotic trees e.g. Afzelia quansensis, Casuarina equisetifolia and Gmelina arborea among others. On average, the group raises over 600,000 seedlings in a year.
Seedlings at Msitu Women Group nursery ready for planting
A customer loading seedlings from the group nursery
Towards conservation: Each group member has planted at least 200 seedlings on their farms as a way to conserve the environment.
Reapingthebenefits: The group members were living in abject poverty before KCDP started supporting them. The families couldn’t afford school fees, healthcare, and food not to mention clothes to cover their bodies and of their children. The children could not go to school but were wandering in the village doing casual work to meet their daily needs. Most of their children could not complete their primary level education and proceed to secondary and tertiary level. Their dreams of becoming professionals were shattered in the name of poverty.
From the sale of seedlings, the livelihood status of the group members has considerably improved. The members can comfortably educate their children; most of the children are now pursuing secondary and tertiary education. Others are even undertaking degree courses, thanks to KCDP support. Majority of the families have been able to build good and modern houses. They can also afford hospital bills which was out of reach in the past. Majority of the members own mobile phones something they never dreamt of owning at one point of their lives. The group members are not the only beneficiaries; the other farmers who buy seedlings from them look forward to getting income from the sale of the trees.
Towards a better future: The group members are planning to buy their own land and expand their production, start poultry farming and buy tents and plastic seats for hire during public events. Support to the group has showed massive success. It is a support never regretted since community livelihoods have been improved and at the same time environmental integrity has been maintained because farmers have improved their incomes and are much less likely to exploit the nearby forests to meet their needs.
5 І KCDP NEWS
7th Meeting of the KCDP National Steering Committe
(L-R)Dr. Kisiki (KWS) Prof Chikamai (KEFRI) and other heads of KCDP partner institutions follow the proceedings of the NPSC
Principal Secretary responsible for Fisheries Development docket in the Ministry of Agriculture Livestock and Fisheries.
The main agenda of the Meeting was to review the status of infrastructure
The 7th National Project Steering Committee (NPSC)of KCDP took place at the Dolphin Conference Hall, KMFRI Headquarters in Mombasa. The Meeting was Chaired by the Prof. Micheni Japhet Ntiba – the
6 І KCDP NEWS
KCDP Interns exit in style By Diana Mutiso, Edith Kwekwe Marafa and Griffin Nyamongo
The KCDP internship programme is a capacity building initiative that targets
coastal students who have completed diploma, undergraduate or graduate degree studies and are interested in pursuing careers in either natural resource management, community development
or any other related fields. On 1st October 2014 some 21 interns were engaged for a 6-month period, by the programme to take part in activities within the implementing agencies under KCDP.
Group Photo of beneficiaries exit workshop for KCDP interns
development undertaken by KCDP, appreciate progress achieved and establish two oversight committees of the Project namely the Grievance and Complaints Commitee (GCC) and the Coast Area Advisory Committee (CAAC).
Representatives of KCDP and partner agencies follow the proceedings
The exiting interns attended a 3 day workshop to acquire additional skills that will enhance their professional growth. The resource team for the workshop comprised facilitators from Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI), Pwani University (PU), Taita Taveta University College (TTUC), Kenya Forestry College (KFC) and the Technical University of Mombasa (TUM).
Various topics were presented by the resource team. Dr. Jacqueline Uku (KMFRI/KCDP) covered presentation skills and CV writing, Dr. Melckzedeck Osore (KMFRI/KCDP) elaborated on the importance of preparing well for an interview while Dr. Maarifa Mwakumanya (PU) presented on leadership and team building skills. Dr. Marianne Mghenda (TTUC) disseminated entrepreneurship skills to the interns while Mr. Makokha (KFC) pointed out that misunderstandings will always crop up in the work place hence the need to have conflict management and resolution skills. Ms. Jaytee Kiviya (TUM) explained the importance of honing one’s communication and public relations skills in job hunting and relating with employees. The final presentation was by Mr. Francis Mutuku (KCDP) who posed to the interns the question : ‘What next after KCDP?’ in reference to their exit strategy using the skills gained from the internship.
Status of KCDP: 3-Qs what has worked? What has NOT worked? What can be improved on?
Successful Community Projects under HMP begin to emerge Members of the Magarini Disabilities Development Project have completed the construction of two classrooms supported by Hazina ya Maendeleo ya Pwani (HMP). This is in line with their project objective, which is to enhance educational opportunities for vulnerable children in Mpirani Ward of Magarini Constituency in Kilifi County.
In his opening remarks on Day 2 of the KCDP Implementation Support Mission held at KMFRI Mr. Dinesh Arya, the Task Team Leader for the Project, asked the participants to reflect on these three crucial questions with a view to charting the Project forward.
This was the first World Bank Mission to KCDP in 2015 which was held at KMFRI HQ, Mombasa (February 2 – 4) and the WB Office in Nairobi (February 5 to 6). The Mission reviewed progress achieved to date by assessing the status of indicators in the overall results framework of KCDP and the activities implemented by each component. The mission also assessed the level of disbursement and absorption of funds by the implementing agencies and the key pending activities that are necessary to achieve the PDO in the remaining period of project implementation.
The crucial questions the project staff needed to reflect on are with regard to what has worked in the project, what has not worked yet and what was required to be done in order to enhance the project implementation mechanism.
7 І KCDP NEWSCompleted classrooms for Magarini Disabilities Development Project
KENYA COASTAL DEVELOPMENT PROJECT (KCDP), C/o Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research InstituteP.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa, Kenya,
organized by KCDP Component 3 - Alternative Livelihood, which were conducted by Strathmore University. She sharpened her skills after participating in courses on business management and the training of trainers.
She is now fondly referred to as “Mama Biashara” – the Business Lady because she uses innovative traditional approaches to add value to various products that she cultivates on her small farm. She makes exotic baking flour from cassava, various products from maize, green peppers, keeps free range poultry and many more. She is also assisting women groups apply for credit and develop the group constitution for a fee. In recognition of her leadership qualities and her skills in organizing other women to improve livelihood opportunities at Bisulubu Village, Mama Martha was recently nominated as the Village Elder.
Mama Agnes Martha Kadii – Village Elder turned Entrepreneur
At Bisulubu Village located in Tezo, Kilifi County, Mama Agnes Martha Kadii has curved a niche for herself as entrepreneur extraordinaire after attending a series of training courses
Mama Kadii displays her products
Address Correspondence to:The Editor , KCDP NewsC/O Kenya Marine Fisheries Research Institute (KMFRI)Silos Road, English Point - Mkomani I P.O. Box 81651-80100, Mombasa-KenyaEmai: [email protected]: +254 (0) 20 8021560/1
