The ground breaking In-Country training programme implemented by Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology is back. The initiative that was active from 1994 to 2017, saw JKUAT, with support from Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) undertake robust and targeted capacity building projects for grassroots women drawn from different regions of Kenya. Thousands of women were trained, equipping them with vital skills, competencies and networks, to address socio-economic challenges and livelihood improvement.
On February 10, 2024, a new cohort of 30 trainers of trainers arrived at JKUAT for a two weeks training workshop under the revamped In-Country training programme. This time, the focus is on communities hosting refugees, located in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs) in Turkana County. Although the programme has been upgraded to match modern development challenges facing Kenya, one constant remains – JICA is still the sponsor.
ASALs make up 89% of Kenya’s territory and inhabitants are currently facing one of the worst droughts in recent history – with at least 3.5 million people facing severe food insecurity. The poverty and food insecurity situation in the regions is further aggravated by the high levels of refugees.
As of April 2022 Kenya hosted 550,817 refugees and asylum seekers, mainly in the Dadaab camp in Garissa County accounting for 43% of the refugees and the Kakuma camp in Turkana County hosting 41% of the refugees. In addition, it is estimated that up to 500 refugees arrive at the camps on a daily basis, further straining access to both food and non-food resources in the region.
While officially opening the workshop on Wednesday February 12, 2025, Vice Chancellor Prof. Victoria Wambui Ngumi noted that the In-Country training programme had provided JKUAT with a pathway to disseminate functional technologies and impact lives throughout Kenya.
“This training seeks to enhance the capacity of host communities to adapt to climate change and improve their livelihoods through awareness and uptake of climate smart technologies, particularly in agriculture,” Prof. Ngumi said.
Prof. Ngumi who lauded JICA for the visionary leadership and support to the programme, added that by linking host communities to market opportunities offered by the refugee situation, the initiative will further enable host communities see refugees as opportunities and not as a challenge.
“JKUAT remains committed to walk the long journey with the beneficiaries of the training who are now expected to cascade the knowledge and skills gained in the programme to other sites in the three sub counties of Turkana County,” Prof. Ngumi said.
JICA Kenya Office representative, Mr. Fumihiko Suzuki said that challenges facing ASALs also offer a chance to pilot new opportunities that can bring benefits to the people. He noted that the initiative had been formulated in line with New Development Charter of 2023 – in which Japan Government aims to contribute to sustainable development of a free and open world.
Titled Enhancing the Capacity of Refugee Host Communities for Climate Resilience and Livelihood Improvement; the workshop will see participants trained on key issues such as: climate smart technologies and practices; soil and water conservation; commercialization of non-timber resources; and community governance and empowerment.
The participants will also get opportunity to visit model projects, farms and firms of past beneficiaries of the In-Country training programme for benchmarking and inspiration.
The opening ceremony was also addressed by Deputy Vice Chancellors: Prof. Bernard Ikua (Administration and Finance); Prof. Robert Kinyua (Academic Affairs); Prof. Jackson Kwanza (Research, Production and Extension).