Culture and Heritage PS Ummi Bashir has urged women in Marsabit County to form and join corporative societies to improve their well-being.
Bashir said President William Ruto's administration intends to empower women, adding that it is by forming and joining corporative societies that they can benefit.
She said the Government plans to empower women economically through cooperatives by ensuring they access training and finances to better their living.
The PS urged women to form cooperative societies in order to benefit from their Ushanga activities.
"The formation of Ushanga cooperative would position women to access government opportunities which are geared towards women empowerment, This will empower women economically and enable them to educate their children," she said.
She lauded women for their efforts in the ushanga business and committed her ministry's support for them to get value for their products.
The PS spoke during the Loiyangalani cultural festival which entered its second day on Friday.
Bashir said the festival is a huge investment that would improve the county's position amongst heritage destinations.
She urged the county government to diversify its unique tourism products and tap into cultural tourism as a key component of tourism development.
While promising the gazettement of cultural sites within the county, the PS said the site is a segment to bring more visitors to the county.
"Marsabit is known for its desert lake and wildlife. We would support the gazettement of a cultural site that can market Marsabit county," the PS said.
She promised to invite local artists like Loiyangalani stars to the upcoming national event owing to their stellar performance during the festival.
The principal secretary Asal region Kello Harsama commended Governor Mohamud Ali for the return of the cultural festival after three years of disruption due to COVID-19.
"I commend the county government for its effort to revive the Loiyangalani cultural festival. The festival will aid in marketing the county as a popular tourist destination," he said.
He urged leaders from the region to support Governor Mohamud Ali's administration for the devolved unit to work and put aside their personal and political differences for the sake of the development of the region.
"The leaders need to work together for the progress of the county. The politics is over and now it's time for development," said PS Kello.
He pointed out that he is ready and willing to work with the Governor for the interest of the people.
The PS argued that the objective of devolution cannot be achieved in an atmosphere where there is disunity among leaders.
He insisted that the national government would distribute relief food from next week across the county.
The Loiyangalani cultural site was a beehive of activity on the second day with different groups all dressed in traditional gear showcasing their culture.
Governor Mohamud Ali who is hosting the event said the festival is part of an initiative to boost tourism activities as well as promote diverse culture.
He said they arrived at the decision to host the event to showcase their culture and help bring their people together.
"Culture serves as a great repository of identity and knowledge and promotes peace," said Governor Mohamud.
The governor said the overall goal of the festival is to position Marsabit County as the cradle of mankind, the destination of choice for cultural tourism.
"The cultural festival is a driver of tourism's growth and destination of development," he said
He thanked the two permanent secretaries for accepting his invitation to grace the festival event.
County First Lady Alamitu Guyo Jattani urged the Ministry of Culture and Heritage to transform cultural sites and assist the community that has a rich culture for them to perform in a national event.
The host MP Joseph Lekuton urged the national government to supply relief food to the residents arguing that though the county is experiencing El Nino rains, the residents are still facing hunger.
Marsabit women representative Naomi Jillo Wako called on the national government to support county residents affected by flash floods with relief food and other humanitarian aid.
Hundreds of participants drawn from across the country are showcasing assorted creatives and artistic items at the Loiyangalani cultural festival.
The annual cultural event provides the county's residents with an opportunity to embrace their rich culture while promoting peace and cohesion amongst the diverse communities.
The four-day celebration of indigenous culture is meant to celebrate cultural diversity for sustainable peace.