Industry

KCB boosts food security in Turkana

KCBF

From left: United States African Development Fund (USADF) regional representative Timothy Nzioka, KCB Group CEO Joshua Oigara, director Catherine Kimura and KCB Foundation chairperson Catherine Kola during the signing of a deal between the KCB Foundation and USADF December 16, 2013 to boost food security in Turkana. Photo/Salaton Njau

The Kenya Commercial Bank Foundation has injected Sh1.5 million into improving food security in Turkana County.

The partnership with the US African Development Foundation (USADF) will offer alternative agricultural solutions to the residents of Lokaliwa.

“The Sh1.5 million will go towards developing a fruit farm that will help promote food security and reduce the poverty by helping the youths and women earn income,” KCB Foundation chairperson Catherne Kola said.

The 50-acre farm located along River Turkwel is managed by the Lokaliwa Rural Savings and Credit Cooperative Society. The orchard will be on five acres that will be fitted with irrigation technology. The rest of the farm will be put under horticulture and other food crops.

USADF regional representative Timothy Nzioka said previous projects in the area failed due to a lack of co-ordination and sustainable partnerships.

“Even though there are some projects which support irrigation from the Turkwel River, most of the infrastructure is normally washed away by floods and the community goes back begging to the government and donors,” he said.

Mr Nzioka said that for every shilling that the foundation would put in the initiative they would match it with Sh13, meaning the project would cost Sh20 million.

KCB Group chief executive Joshua Oigara said that the foundation had in the last seven years invested Sh700 million in projects that impact the community.