Women’s Empowerment: Skills Training in Nakuru

Introduction: Unlocking Potential Through Skills

In Nakuru County, where vibrant markets and sprawling farms paint a picture of opportunity, many women face barriers that keep them on the margins of economic progress. Limited access to education, cultural expectations, and financial constraints often confine women to low-paying, unstable work, perpetuating cycles of poverty for their families. At Digital Bearers, we believe that empowering women is key to transforming communities, and vocational skills training is a powerful tool to achieve this. In March 2025, we launched a women’s skills training program in Nakuru, equipping 30 women with expertise in tailoring, hairdressing, and soap-making, setting them on a path to financial independence.

This initiative, completed over three months, has already changed lives, enabling women to start small businesses, support their families, and inspire others in their communities. With newfound skills, confidence, and economic power, these women are rewriting their futures and uplifting those around them. In this blog post, we’ll dive into the heart of this program—its origins, challenges, successes, and the stories of the women who are proving that with the right opportunities, anything is possible.

The Challenge: Barriers to Women’s Economic Empowerment

Nakuru, a bustling hub in Kenya’s Rift Valley, is home to over 2 million people, many of whom rely on agriculture and small-scale trade for their livelihoods. While the region is known for its economic potential, women often face disproportionate challenges. According to a 2024 report by the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis, women in Nakuru earn 30% less than men on average, with many confined to informal, low-skill jobs like street vending or domestic work. Educational disparities play a role—only 40% of women in rural Nakuru complete secondary school, compared to 55% of men, limiting their access to better-paying opportunities.

Cultural norms further complicate the picture. In many communities, women are expected to prioritize household duties over personal ambitions, leaving little time for training or entrepreneurship. Access to capital is another hurdle; without collateral or financial literacy, women struggle to secure loans to start businesses. Single mothers, widows, and young women are particularly vulnerable, often juggling childcare and survival with no safety net. These barriers not only stifle individual potential but also hinder community development, as women’s contributions are vital to economic and social stability.

At Digital Bearers, we’ve witnessed these challenges in our work across Kenya, from supporting flood victims in Busia to building classrooms in Nairobi. Our experience has shown that empowering women creates a ripple effect—when women thrive, their children attend school, their families eat better, and their communities grow stronger. The Nakuru skills training program was designed to break down these barriers, offering women practical tools to achieve financial independence and reshape their lives.

Our Solution: A Tailored Training Program

The Women’s Empowerment: Skills Training program was launched in January 2025, targeting 30 women from underserved communities in Nakuru’s Kaptembwo and Rhonda estates. The goal was to provide hands-on vocational training in high-demand skills—tailoring, hairdressing, and soap-making—that could lead to immediate income generation. We chose these skills based on local market research, which showed steady demand for clothing alterations, salon services, and affordable hygiene products, even in low-income areas.

The program ran for three months, with participants attending daily sessions at a community center we renovated for the purpose. The curriculum was comprehensive, blending technical training with entrepreneurship education. In tailoring, women learned to operate sewing machines, take measurements, and create garments like school uniforms and dresses. Hairdressing covered braiding, cutting, and styling techniques, as well as salon management. Soap-making included formulating liquid and bar soaps using local ingredients like coconut oil and aloe vera, with lessons on packaging and marketing.

Entrepreneurship was a core component. Trainers from a Nakuru-based business incubator taught participants how to write business plans, manage finances, and market their products. Each woman received a starter kit upon graduation—sewing machines for tailors, styling tools for hairdressers, and raw materials for soap-makers—to help them launch their ventures. The program cost $10,000, funded by donor contributions, covering trainers’ fees, materials, and the renovation of the training center.

Community involvement was central to the program’s design. We worked with local women’s groups to select participants, prioritizing single mothers, widows, and young women with limited income sources. Trainers were also local, including two women entrepreneurs who served as role models. This approach ensured the program was culturally relevant and built trust among participants, many of whom were initially hesitant to commit to a new venture.

Stories from the Ground: Women Leading Change

The impact of the program is best captured through the stories of its graduates. Mary Wanjiku, a 32-year-old single mother of three, joined the tailoring course after years of struggling as a casual laborer. “I used to wash clothes for people, but the money was never enough,” she says. “Now, I make school uniforms for neighbors, and I’m saving to buy a second sewing machine.” Mary’s small tailoring shop, set up in her one-room home, now earns her 2,000 KES ($15) a week, enough to cover school fees and food for her children.

Esther Akinyi, 25, chose hairdressing and transformed her life in just three months. Previously unemployed, she spent her days helping her mother sell vegetables. “I didn’t think I could learn something so fast,” Esther recalls. “Now, I braid hair for women in my estate, and they love my styles.” Her salon corner, equipped with a mirror and styling tools from the starter kit, attracts a growing clientele, and she’s mentoring two younger girls who want to learn the trade.

In the soap-making group, Grace Nyambura, a 40-year-old widow, found a new purpose. “After my husband died, I felt lost, selling charcoal to survive,” she shares. “Soap-making gave me hope.” Grace now produces 50 bars of soap weekly, selling them at local markets for 100 KES ($0.75) each. Her income supports her two daughters’ education, and she’s training other women in her church group to make soap, creating a small cooperative.

These stories reflect the program’s broader impact. Of the 30 participants, 25 have started businesses, collectively earning an estimated 60,000 KES ($450) weekly. Their success is lifting their families—over 80 children now benefit from better nutrition and school supplies—and inspiring other women to seek similar opportunities. The training center has become a hub of activity, with graduates returning to share tips and support each other’s ventures.

Technical Details: Crafting a Sustainable Program

The program’s success hinged on its practical, hands-on approach. Tailoring training used industrial-grade sewing machines, donated by a Nairobi textile company, to teach women skills that match market standards. Each participant completed 10 garments, from simple skirts to complex uniforms, building a portfolio to attract customers. Hairdressing sessions included 50 hours of practice, with mannequins and volunteer models, ensuring mastery of techniques like cornrows and weaves. Soap-making involved 20 recipes, with emphasis on cost-effective ingredients to keep production affordable.

Facilities were critical. The renovated community center featured three classrooms—one for each skill—equipped with workstations, lighting, and ventilation. Solar panels powered the center, reducing electricity costs and aligning with our sustainability goals, as seen in our recent Siaya project. Starter kits were carefully curated: tailors received a sewing machine, scissors, and fabric; hairdressers got combs, dryers, and dyes; soap-makers received molds, oils, and packaging materials. These kits, valued at $100 each, were designed to last at least two years with proper care.

Sustainability was built into the program’s structure. We trained three participants—Mary, Esther, and Grace—as peer educators to continue teaching others after the program ended. They now lead weekly workshops at the center, reaching an additional 15 women so far. A microfinance component, funded by a $2,000 grant, offers low-interest loans to graduates for business expansion, with 10 women already accessing funds to buy supplies or rent shop spaces.

The environmental impact was also considered. Soap-making used biodegradable ingredients, reducing waste compared to commercial detergents. Tailoring scraps were recycled into patchwork bags, creating an additional income stream. These practices reflect our commitment to eco-friendly development, as seen in our tree-planting and solar initiatives across Kenya.

Challenges and Lessons Learned

The road to success wasn’t without obstacles. Time constraints were a major challenge—many women juggled training with childcare and household duties. We adapted by offering flexible schedules, including evening sessions, and providing on-site childcare for participants’ children. Attendance improved, but we learned to prioritize family-friendly designs in future programs, such as stipends for transport or meals.

Market saturation was another concern. Nakuru has many tailors and hairdressers, raising fears that graduates wouldn’t find customers. We addressed this through marketing workshops, teaching women to differentiate their services—e.g., offering unique soap scents or mobile salon services. Follow-up surveys show 80% of graduates are earning steady incomes, validating this approach. However, we’ll explore more diverse skills, like baking or IT, for future cohorts to reduce competition.

Funding stretched thin at times. The $10,000 budget covered essentials, but unexpected costs—like repairing sewing machines—required quick fundraising. We’ve since adopted a 15% contingency fund for future projects, a lesson from our Siaya solar initiative. Community skepticism, particularly from male family members, also surfaced, with some questioning women’s ability to succeed in business. We held family forums to highlight the benefits of women’s income, gaining broader support by the program’s end.

The Bigger Picture: Why Women’s Empowerment Matters

Empowering women is not just about individual success—it’s about transforming societies. Studies by the World Bank show that when women control household income, they invest 90% in their families’ health, education, and nutrition, compared to 65% for men. In Nakuru, this is evident: the 30 graduates are supporting 80 children, improving school attendance and reducing hunger. Their businesses also stimulate local economies, as customers buy their soaps and clothes, creating a virtuous cycle of growth.

Women’s empowerment aligns with global goals, like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 5 (Gender Equality). By equipping women with skills, we’re challenging systemic inequalities and fostering inclusive development. This program builds on our broader mission at Digital Bearers, seen in projects like borehole drilling and classroom construction, where women’s involvement has been key to success. In Nakuru, the training center is now a symbol of possibility, drawing interest from other counties eager to replicate the model.

The social impact is profound. Graduates report greater confidence and respect within their communities, shifting perceptions of women’s roles. “People used to ignore me, but now they call me ‘boss’,” says Mary with a laugh. This newfound agency is breaking down stereotypes and encouraging younger girls to pursue education and careers, creating a generational shift that will outlast the program itself.

Looking Ahead: Scaling Empowerment

The Nakuru program is just the beginning. We aim to train 100 more women by mid-2026, expanding to other counties like Kericho and Baringo. The training center will serve as a regional hub, offering advanced courses in skills like digital marketing and food processing. We’re also exploring partnerships with local cooperatives to provide graduates with bulk supply discounts, reducing their costs and boosting profits.

Funding remains critical. The $10,000 that launched this program came from donors who share our vision. A $20 donation can buy fabric for a tailor; $200 can fund a starter kit. We’re also seeking corporate sponsors to support larger cohorts and introduce mentorship programs, pairing graduates with established entrepreneurs. These efforts will ensure the program’s sustainability and scale its impact across Kenya.

Education is another priority. Many participants expressed interest in literacy and numeracy classes to complement their skills. We plan to integrate these into future programs, alongside leadership training to prepare women for community roles. Imagine Grace leading a county-wide soap-making cooperative or Esther advocating for women’s rights—these are the futures we’re building toward.

Conclusion: A Legacy of Strength

As the women of Nakuru stitch garments, braid hair, and package soaps, they’re weaving a new narrative for themselves and their communities. The skills training program is more than a project—it’s a movement, proving that when women are given tools and opportunities, they can overcome any obstacle. Mary, Esther, Grace, and their peers are not just entrepreneurs; they’re role models, mothers, and change-makers, carrying their families and communities toward a brighter future.

At Digital Bearers, we’re privileged to support this transformation. The 30 women we trained are the first of many, and with your help, we can empower countless more. Join us today to make this vision a reality—together, we can build a world where every woman has the chance to shine.