Twenty-four women groups drawn from Kiharu constituency, Murang’a have been issued with Uwezo Fund cheques amounting to Sh22.9 million. Four of the groups were each issued with a Sh200,000 during the occasion held in Murang’a town and presided by the county Women Representative Betty Maina. Some of the groups, accessing money for the first time from the kitty managed to get between Sh60,000 and Sh160, 0000. Maina lauded the groups which have previously benefited from Uwezo Fund saying the repayment rate at Kiharu constituency stands at about 50 percent. Uwezo Fund that’s mainly supports organized groups is normally coordinated by offices of the respective members of parliament across constituencies and that of the county women representatives. The money, Maina said, is targeted to boost income generating projects, while cautioning the beneficiaries against investing in activities, which may not help them generate any returns. The women representative noted that the funds are meant for repayment at the end of the stipulated grace period and advised the women to venture more into agriculture. ‘This money is not meant to buy household items or to cater for personal expenses, but the main purpose is to enable beneficiaries to start income-generating projects or boost the already existing businesses,’ she explained. Maina observed that currently, many parts of the county were receiving ample rains saying the groups could consider venturing into horticulture. ‘Agriculture-related projects can perform well with the current rains. Soon fodder for livestock will be plenty and also growing of vegetables among other crops remains viable,’ she added. The women representative called upon youths and women in the area to continue forming or joining groups so as to benefit from the Uwezo Fund and other government kitties. ‘The Kenya Kwanza government is committed to supporting small and medium enterprises through the provision of various funds. However, most of these funds can only be accessed through groups and I appeal to residents of Murang’a to either form groups, or join the existing ones so as to benefit,’ implored Maina. During the same occasion, one youth group and two individuals benefited from cheques from the Youth Fund amounting to Sh4.7 million. The recipient youths have been operating various enterprises, thus qualifying for individual funding from the Youth Fund.
Source: Kenya News Agency