Makers of eco-friendly baskets have reason to smile
Some of the eco-friendly bags made by a couple in Kerio, Turkana County. The venture has employed at least five other women. PHOTO | PETER WARUTOMO | NATION MEDIA GROUP
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Another women group in Isiolo town is also happy with the ban and has started making alternative packaging materials for sale.
Known as the Rural Women Access Resource Organisation, the group said their innovation has created jobs for its 11 members, thereby increasing their income.
The ban on plastic bags has come as a blessing in disguise for a couple in Turkana County who have invested in making eco-friendly shopping bags from palm tree leaves.
While some manufacturers and traders stands to lose millions of shillings as a result of the ban, the couple has seen a sharp increase in the number of orders for their recyclable bags.
“We are receiving a lot of orders from cereal and fruit vendors who are switching from plastic to biodegradable bags,” said Mrs Mary Erakai, who hails from Kerio in Turkana Central Sub-County.
She and her husband Eloto Ekwee pooled their resources and invested in the small business, selling their bags in Lodwar, Kitale and Eldoret. A bag cost between Sh100 and Sh300.
MODEST INCOME
For a long period, the couple only earned a modest income from the bags because of low demand. However, they persisted with the venture after receiving support from the Hunger Safety Net Programme which also encouraged them to make mats and brooms.
“We generate a net profit of Sh20,000 monthly from the business which has enabled us to take our children to school and afford decent meals,” said Mrs Erakai.
According to her, the nascent business has created employment to five other women engaged in weaving. Her effort has in recent months transformed her from a housewife to an employer. She pays an average of Sh15,000 monthly to the five women she has employed to weave the products.
Another women group in Isiolo town is also happy with the ban and has started making alternative packaging materials for sale.
INNOVATION
Known as the Rural Women Access Resource Organisation (Rwaro), the group said their innovation has created jobs for its 11 members, thereby increasing their income.
The group’s chairperson, Ms Dominica Ekeno, urged the National Environment Management Authority (Nema) to educate wananchi in remote areas on the ban as some were still using plastic carrier bags.
She said the reusable beaded bags that the group makes retail at between Sh700 to Sh1,700.
“We decided to venture into this business two weeks before the government’s ban on plastic bag use,” she said. According to her, demand for the bags has already started growing and they intend to start selling them in neighbouring counties.
