On 08 March 2026, MIKIA Kenya, in partnership with the Indigenous Information Network (IIN), joined the Naitutum Lekurruki Women’s Community-Based Organization (CBO) and members of the Lekurruki community to commemorate International Women’s Day 2026 under the theme “Give to Gain.”
The celebration marked an important milestone for Indigenous women in Lekurruki following the formation and registration of the Naitutum Lekurruki Women’s CBO, an umbrella organization bringing together Indigenous women’s self-help groups within the Lekurruki community land. Established in 2025, the organization provides a collective platform for strengthening women’s leadership, socio-economic empowerment and the preservation of Indigenous Knowledge.
The event brought together women’s groups, community leaders, local administration officials, the Community Land Management Committee, community elders and partner organizations. The strong participation reflected growing community recognition of the role Indigenous women play in sustainable livelihoods, cultural preservation and community resilience.
A key highlight of the commemoration was the formal presentation of the 2025 Baseline Survey Report to the leadership of the Naitutum Lekurruki Women’s CBO. The survey documents the socio-economic activities and realities of Indigenous women’s self-help groups in the Lekurruki landscape and is expected to provide an evidence base for future interventions.
The report was also shared with the Community Land Management Committee to support community-level planning and collaboration. Its findings will help guide initiatives focused on strengthening women’s economic activities, promoting sustainable livelihoods, building community resilience and preserving Indigenous Knowledge systems.
Speaking during the event, Nominated Member of County Assembly Eunice Moile welcomed the establishment of the umbrella organization and expressed her continued support for initiatives aimed at bringing women’s groups together and advancing women’s empowerment. Senior Area Chief Pilitai Moile officially opened the meeting.
For Naitutum Lekurruki Women’s CBO Chairperson Agnes Ntipelia, the occasion represented an important step in the journey of Indigenous women’s collective action. She acknowledged the support of MIKIA Kenya and IIN and noted that the organization is now formally registered and has established a bank account to support its operations.
The commemoration strengthened collaboration among Indigenous women, community leadership and partner organizations while raising awareness of the contribution of Indigenous women to sustainable livelihoods and the preservation of cultural knowledge.
Looking Ahead
Following the establishment of the umbrella CBO, MIKIA Kenya and its partners identified several priority areas for continued engagement. These include learning exchanges with established Indigenous women-led initiatives, community sensitization, capacity building in areas such as financial literacy and leadership, and the establishment of a Cultural Learning Center to support the preservation and transmission of Indigenous Knowledge.
The event demonstrates the importance of investing in Indigenous women’s leadership and collective action as a pathway towards stronger livelihoods, resilient communities and the continued safeguarding of Indigenous Knowledge.