A Sh120 million Beads Production Centre is nearing completion at the Sekenani Gate of the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Siana Ward, Narok West, in a move poised to revolutionize the beadwork industry in the region and uplift the socio-economic status of Maasai women.
Governor Patrick Ole Ntutu, who inspected the facility this week ahead of its official launch, said the centre aims to provide structured support to local artisans and bolster beadwork as a key economic activity in Narok County.
He noted that beadwork is more than just a cultural expression, terming it a vital source of livelihood for many women living within the Maasai Mara ecosystem. "Beadwork production plays a significant role not only in preserving our cultural identity but also in supporting the tourism sector, which in turn sustains numerous families and households in the region," Governor Ntutu said during the site visit.
The centre, he added, will serve as a dedicated hub for the training, production, and marketing of traditional Maasai beadwork.
