The Millionaire Women Building Wealth in Kenya’s Arid Lands

Women entrepreneurs in Samburu and Laikipia counties are expanding businesses in livestock trading, beekeeping and irrigated farming, reshaping local economies traditionally dominated by men.

In northern Kenya, areas often affected by drought and shaped by long-standing patriarchal traditions are witnessing gradual economic change. Women who were previously excluded from many commercial activities are now building enterprises in pastoralism, apiculture and agriculture. Their businesses are contributing to household incomes and strengthening community resilience in regions exposed to climate and market pressures.

At Kisima Livestock Market in Samburu West, Christine Leseewa has established herself in a trade historically controlled by men. Initially dismissed by sceptics, she is now recognised as one of the county’s leading livestock traders. She sources goats from across Samburu and sells them to buyers in Nairobi, Nakuru and Thika, frequently moving hundreds of animals each week. Her business continues to operate profitably even during drought periods, when livestock prices tend to fall.

Leseewa has also diversified into other ventures, opening a bookshop and purchasing a lorry to transport animals to urban markets. Her activities reflect both the opportunities and risks within pastoral economies, where climate conditions strongly influence income.

In Laikipia North, Rosemary Mosiany has built an apiculture enterprise that has expanded rapidly since it began in 2018. Starting with five beehives, she now manages more than 600 and produces over a tonne of organic honey each harvest. Her products reach markets in Kenya and abroad, including the United States, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates. Demand often exceeds supply, and she plans to expand her operation to 3,000 hives.

In addition to honey production, Mosiany manufactures beekeeping equipment, sells products such as beeswax and propolis, and trains women’s groups in apiculture. Digital marketing has increased her visibility, while certification and procurement training provided through UN Women programmes has enabled her to pursue government contracts.

Near Maralal, Ruth Lengosek has developed irrigated farmland on land previously considered unproductive. She began farming tomatoes and watermelon in 2021 and reported strong earnings in her first season. Her farm now covers more than a dozen acres and produces onions, cabbages, maize and potatoes. The produce supplies nearby towns that previously relied on deliveries from Nyahururu.

Lengosek uses social media to reach customers in cities such as Nairobi and Mombasa and is considering regional export markets. Her farm employs dozens of seasonal workers, most of them women, and she provides training to young people in climate-smart agriculture.

These entrepreneurs continue to face challenges. Drought, poor infrastructure, limited access to finance and entrenched cultural norms still affect women seeking to expand businesses in the region. However, institutional support is beginning to address some of these barriers.

Initiatives such as the UAE Strategic Partnership Framework, implemented through UN Women, provide training in procurement, financial record-keeping and certification. The programmes aim to help women compete for contracts and grow their enterprises.

County officials say improved access to affordable capital and stronger market connections are essential to sustain this progress. They have called for gender-responsive budgeting and the development of integrated enterprise hubs to support women-led businesses.