Nairobi, Nov. 21 -- A big number of women in pastoralist counties have embraced beadwork as a way to make ends meet.

Some of them are reformed cutters, who had subjected thousands of girls, who were then married off, to female genital mutilation (FGM). They ventured into this trade after ceasing the harmful practice.

One such woman is Reina Lelesit,57, from Nguroto village, about 15 kilometres from Maralal town in Samburu County. She is among hundreds of women who have taken up beadwork as an income-generating activity.

When we visit her home on this sunny afternoon, she is making a traditional necklace, which she hopes to sell for Sh1,000 in Maralal town.

Dimmed capacity

The mother of eight has been taking two days to make one neckl...