Meet Ibrahim Guracho, a member of the Iqra Business Group based in Fincharo Location, Mandera South Sub-County. Like many men in Somali pastoral communities, Ibrahim grew up relying on livestock as his family’s main source of livelihood. For generations, livestock keeping had been the backbone of household income and security.
However, a devastating drought struck the region and wiped out his entire herd, destroying the only source of income he had known. Suddenly left with nothing, Ibrahim faced immense pressure as he struggled to provide for his family. To survive, he began taking on small casual jobs, but the income was irregular and barely enough to meet his family’s basic needs.
Recognizing that recurring droughts and the growing impact of climate change had made livestock rearing increasingly risky, Ibrahim began exploring alternative livelihood options. After observing local market trends, he realized that a clothing business could be a practical opportunity. It required relatively low start-up capital, had consistent demand in rural markets, and offered room for growth. The only problem was that he had neither the capital nor the business knowledge to begin.
For several years, Ibrahim searched for a way to rebuild his livelihood. His turning point came when he was selected as a beneficiary of the Kuza Jamii II Project, an initiative designed to empower local entrepreneurs through business training, mentorship, and seed capital support. Determined to make the most of this opportunity, Ibrahim joined forces with two women who shared the same vision for economic independence. Together, they formed the Iqra Business Group and opened a small clothing shop in their local market.
With support from GENCAD International, implemented through the Kuza Jamii II Consortium led by Village Enterprise and funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the group received KES 60,000 in seed capital and an additional KES 30,000 top-up grant. This support allowed them to purchase their initial stock of clothing and set up their business.
The shop soon began attracting customers from the surrounding villages. By carefully selecting clothing that suits local tastes and purchasing power, the group steadily built a loyal customer base and started generating reliable income. The members work together by rotating responsibilities—managing the shop, recording sales, tracking profits, and reinvesting earnings to expand their stock and diversify their products.
“Before this opportunity, we had many ideas but no capital to start a business,” says Ibrahim Guracho. “The training and support we received gave us the confidence to begin small and grow. Today, we have a business that supports our families and gives us hope for the future.”
The clothing business has significantly improved the lives of the three members. With the profits they earn, they can now contribute to household expenses, support their children’s education, and plan for a more secure future.
“We no longer worry about what our families will eat. Thanks to this project, our lives have changed,” Ibrahim says with a smile.
Encouraged by their progress, the Iqra Business Group is already planning to expand. Their goal is to open a second clothing shop in a nearby village within the next two months.
Iqra Business Group is among 2,000 households that were organized into 658 business groups across Mandera South and Mandera East Sub-Counties, all of whom benefited from a KES 60 million grant aimed at supporting small businesses and improving livelihoods.
The project did not just provide start-up grants—it equipped participants with essential skills to build and sustain their businesses. Through comprehensive training on financial literacy, beneficiaries learned how to manage their income, budget effectively, and make informed financial decisions. They were also trained in proper record keeping, enabling them to track sales, expenses, profits, and debts with accuracy and confidence.
“GENCAD provided us with financial training that has greatly improved how we run our business. Before, we could not clearly differentiate between sales, profit, and loss. But now, things have changed—we maintain proper record-keeping books that help us track our sales daily, weekly, and monthly,” explains Guracha.
The success of the Iqra Business Group demonstrates how access to training, mentorship, and small grants can unlock entrepreneurial potential in communities affected by climate shocks and economic hardship. Through determination, teamwork, and the right support, Ibrahim and his partners have transformed a moment of crisis into a sustainable livelihood—offering inspiration to many others across Mandera South.
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