This archive report was first published on 24 July 2019.
On Wednesday morning, Kenya's First Lady Margaret Kenyatta welcomed her visiting Botswana counterpart Neo Jane Masisi to the Kazuri Beads Factory and Pottery Centre in Karen, Nairobi County.
Founded in 1975 as a tiny workshop, the factory has grown into a multimillion investment, employing over 340 Kenyans, mostly single mothers from Nairobi's poor neighborhoods.
During the visit, the two First Ladies interacted with the employees, asking questions about the process of making handmade ceramic jewelry and pottery, including necklaces, bracelets, and earrings.
Botswana's First Lady Jane Masisi praised the factory's operational efficiency and quality of products, urging the management and employees to work harder and expand the factory to create more employment opportunities for vulnerable women.
She thanked her host, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, for the guided tour and commended her for championing the empowerment of vulnerable women and children through the Beyond Zero initiative.
The visit was part of President Mokgweetsi Masisi's three-day state visit to Kenya.
