More than 25 groups of women, youth and persons living with disabilities in Kangema Constituency have benefited from Sh3.3 million disbursed through the Uwezo Fund.
The fund is aimed at boosting small enterprises and promoting economic empowerment at the grassroots.
Kangema Member of Parliament Peter Kihungi noted that the programme is helping communities build sustainable income, create job opportunities and reduce overreliance on formal employment.
He underscored that the fund has continued to make a significant impact in rural areas by giving vulnerable groups access to affordable credit to start or expand businesses.
“When these groups thrive, the entire constituency thrives,” he said, adding, “This is how local economies are built as small businesses grow, families earn and young people find work close to home.”
The disbursement exercise brought together dozens of beneficiaries at the Kangema social hall, where groups shared how previous loans have uplifted their projects, ranging from dairy goat keeping, horticulture, poultry, table banking and small-scale trade.
The beneficiaries thanked the government for making the process transparent and accessible, noting that the loans come at a time when many families are struggling with high living costs.
Pioneer Women Group received Sh500,000, marking a big increase from their previous loan of Sh100,000, which they successfully repaid.
According to group chairperson Rosemary Wanjiru, members have been rearing dairy goats, while others lease farms to grow horticultural crops for the local market.
“We started very small, but the profit from the goats and vegetables has helped mothers pay school fees and meet household needs. We are grateful because Uwezo has changed our lives,’ she said. At the start we received Sh 100,000 but see how far we have come today,” she added, beaming with joy.
Persons Living with Disabilities also benefited, with a 10-member group receiving Sh100,000.
Their chairperson, Irungu Mwangi, said they have set up a permanent chicken house and each member will start with 50 chicks.
“This money gives us dignity. We don’t just ask for help; we work for ourselves. Once we repay, our goal is to apply for Sh300,000 and expand poultry production,” Mwangi added.
Several other groups received funding to support salon businesses, retail shops, livestock trade, brick making and agro-based enterprises.
Even as beneficiaries celebrated, the Uwezo Fund Committee raised concern over the low repayment rate among some groups, especially youth.
Kangema Uwezo Fund Chairperson Nicholas Gakunga said prompt repayment is crucial to sustain the programme and enable more groups to be financed.
“This is a revolving fund. Every shilling that comes back is loaned out to another group. If we default, the chain breaks and other people miss out,” he emphasised.
He encouraged groups that are behind on repayment to honour their agreements, adding that financial discipline is part of empowerment.
Social services officer Ruth Njoroge encouraged more groups to register and apply, saying the Uwezo Fund was designed to support hard-working citizens so as to continuously empower communities.
“This fund reduces barriers. It supports the mama mboga, the young startup, the person living with disability, and the small farmer and we want to see every location in Kangema benefiting,” she said.
Njoroge noted that the social services office will continue holding sensitisation meetings to ensure groups understand loan management, business planning and repayment schedules.
By Florence Kinyua
