WEST POKOT, Kenya – High poverty levels in parts of West Pokot County could be something of the past after the devolved unit took a key step toward tackling the vice.
West Pokot County has significant poverty levels, with an average of 61.4% overall and a higher rate of 67% when considering unplanned families.
But now, this is likely to come to an end through the development of a draft Poverty Graduation and Social Protection Bill.
A weeklong workshop this week supported by Village Enterprise reviewed the county’s policy on poverty graduation to ensure both documents are aligned and actionable.
The bill seeks to institutionalise the Ultra-Poor Graduation (UPG) approach across all county departments, making poverty reduction a countywide responsibility. It also introduces gender-sensitive and results-based monitoring tools to track progress more effectively.
Deputy Speaker Victor Siywat expressed strong support for the initiative.
“The poverty levels we’re seeing are deeply concerning. This bill offers a clear path forward. It’s time to take action and make sure help gets to those who need it most,” Siywat said.
What are the current poverty levels in West Pokot County
The North Rift region county contributes relatively little to the national economy, with a Gross Value Added (GVA) of over Sh52 million.
The poverty rate in West Pokot is higher than the national average of 45%, and the county government is now focused on addressing extreme poverty.
County Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Culture, Sports, Youth, and Social Protection Lucky Litole acknowledged the challenges posed by the lack of a legal framework.
“Without clear guidelines, implementing the program has been tough. This framework gives us the structure we’ve been missing. We deeply appreciate the support from Village Enterprise and are fully committed to making this work,” Litole explained.
The bill now heads to the County Cabinet before being presented to the County Assembly. It forms part of West Pokot’s broader effort to embed social protection into long-term planning, in line with Vision 2030 and the county’s 2023–2027 development goals.
Meanwhile, the regional government has moved to champion grassroots enterprise with a Sh2.7 million boost.
Even a spirit of optimism swept through Chepareria as the Governor Simon Kachapin-led county government, in partnership with Village Enterprise, unveiled a Sh2.7 million seed capital fund under the Ultra Poor Graduation (UPG) initiative, a move aimed at sparking rural entrepreneurship and fast-tracking the journey out of poverty.
How West Pokot vulnerable households are being empowered
The launch, hosted at the Mercy Centre, Chepareria, marked a key milestone in Village Enterprise and the county’s mission to uplift vulnerable households through enterprise development.
A total of 450 budding business owners from Siyoi, Endough, and Weiwei wards are set to benefit from the first phase of the initiative, which ultimately targets 900 business owners.
Presiding over the event, Governor Kachapin praised the initiative as a game-changer in the fight against poverty.
“This seed capital is more than just money. It is a catalyst for transformation,” he said. “With the right support, our people can build sustainable livelihoods. We are proud to walk this journey with Village Enterprise.”
The governor reaffirmed the county’s commitment to scaling similar programs through investments in agriculture, trade, and inclusive economic development.
His deputy, Robert Komolle, drew parallels with India’s economic success story, noting that grassroots enterprises had been key to lifting millions out of poverty.
“What we’re doing here is planting seeds of resilience,” he remarked. “If we nurture them well, the results will be felt for generations,” Komolle said.
How West Pokot residents reacted to the empowerment programs
Real stories of change were at the heart of the event.
For instance, Emily Chemaning, a beneficiary of the program, captivated the crowd with her journey from hardship to hope. Through the support of Village Enterprise, she started a vegetable business, built a home, educated her children, and even bought a posho mill.
“This program gave me a fresh start,” said Emily. “With teamwork in our business savings groups, we can build a better future.”
Taddeyo Muriuki, Village Enterprise’s chief government relations and technical assistance officer, lauded West Pokot for pioneering the UPG model in Kenya.
“This partnership is creating real impact. Other counties are now looking to replicate what’s happening here,” he said. “Together, we’re proving that with the right approach, poverty is not permanent,” Muriuki explained.
The SH2.7 million will be disbursed in two phases via mobile money, directly reaching business savings groups to kickstart new enterprises. As the first county in Kenya to adopt the UPG model, West Pokot is positioning itself as a trailblazer in community-driven economic development.
