05/14/2024
In the summer of 2023, I resigned from the job I had been doing for 13 years and returned to my scenic village, set in the escarpment of Elgeyo-Marakwet County, with lush green hills and lively waterfalls. I was deeply moved by the struggles and shared victories that underscored the community's unwavering resilience. This visit began a crucial era when initiatives were poised to uplift the community's spirit and economic condition.
Elgeyo-Marakwet is a long, narrow county between the Uasin Gishu Plateau and the Kerio River in the Rift Valley. It is located between 35° 20' and 35° 45' East Longitude and 0° 10' and
0° 20' North latitude. Elgeyo-Marakwet County covers a total area of 3029.9 km
It borders West Pokot County to the North, Baringo County to the East, Trans Nzoia County to the Northwest, and Uasin Gishu County to the West.;
Landslides are frequently witnessed in Elgeyo-Marakwet County, especially along the escarpment, leading to loss of life and property, displacement of populations, and environmental
degradation.
The main effect of the landslides in Elgeyo-Marakwet County is loss of soil fertility and crop productivity. In some parts of the county where land is owned by clans, shifting cultivation is practiced by burning vegetation, thus making the area vulnerable to
landslides during heavy rains.
Good rainfall and fertile soils have made people migrate into the
escarpment area, cutting down trees and cultivating even areas where the terrain is too steep for cultivation, which is best suited to forestry. Without the binding action of tree roots and with the
steep slopes, the area becomes very vulnerable to landslides during heavy, persistent rainfall.
Let's celebrate the local farmers in our community for their remarkable success in embracing coffee farming. Their dedication and hard work have transformed our village into one of the most notable areas across the county, where farmers are already reaping impressive returns from this sustainable crop.
During our meeting with Farmers, we agreed that alternative agricultural practices, such as coffee, avocado, mangoes, bananas, macadamia, and groundnuts, were most suitable for locations, unlike maize farming.
Our improved agricultural practices propelled us into exporting our coffee internationally, starting with Santa Fe, symbolizing a gateway connecting our small village to the wider world.
The journey is ongoing, with promising prospects as we merge socio-economic progress with environmental stewardship. Our efforts aim to ensure a flourishing, sustainable future for all villagers and hope to inspire other communities globally to pursue self-reliance and ecological integrity.
" Jirani coffee more than one sip"
