The Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) office in Kericho has disbursed KSh 5,192,150 in loans for the 2024–2025 financial year, supporting 25 youth groups and 29 individual entrepreneurs engaging in a range of income-generating ventures, including agribusiness, beauty and cosmetics shops, cybercafés, and table banking initiatives, among others, across all the Sub-counties in Kericho County.
Speaking to Kenya News Agency, Kericho County Credit Officer Victor Langat revealed that an additional KSh 4,618,500 is set to be disbursed to eligible youth groups and individuals who have already registered and qualified for funding, with the aim of scaling up their income-generating activities across various sectors.
The County Credit Officer also highlighted the Migration Loan as one of the fund’s most impactful initiatives, noting that it has so far benefited 25 youths pursuing job opportunities abroad in destinations such as the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), with the loan specifically tailored to ease the financial burden of travel-related expenses including visa processing, air tickets, and essential documentation for young job seekers venturing into global employment markets.
He explained that eligible applicants can receive up to KSh300,000, with the exact amount determined by the destination country, adding that the funds are specifically structured to cover key travel expenses such as visa application fees, return air tickets, medical examinations, and other essential documentation required for international job placements, thereby easing the financial strain on young people preparing to work abroad.
Mr Langat explained that individuals travelling to Dubai typically receive KSh171,350 per person, which is calculated to cover essential travel requirements such as visa fees, airfare, and documentation costs, adding that beneficiaries are encouraged to have personal savings to support their initial living expenses upon arrival, as the loan is strictly limited to covering travel formalities and does not extend to upkeep or accommodation abroad.
“In addition to opportunities in Dubai, the Government of Kenya is working in collaboration with the United Kingdom through a UK based agency known as HOPS to support students from agricultural institutions such as Rift Valley Institute of Science and Technology (RVIST) and Bukura Agricultural College (BAC),” said Mr Langat.
Mr Langat further explained that once the participants arrive in the United Kingdom, they are placed on a six-month employment and training program where they gain hands-on experience in their respective fields, noting that the initiative not only equips the youth with practical skills but also serves as a gateway to long-term employment, as those who demonstrate exceptional performance during the program stand a chance of being considered for permanent job placements within the same organization.
“This is a great opportunity for the youth seeking employment in UAE countries and so far, youths across Kericho County are applying for the migration loan. The Process is still ongoing and I am urging interested youths to make their applications.” added Langat
Meanwhile, the Credit Officer revealed that the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF) had signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the office of the Senate Majority Leader and the Kericho County government, aimed at supporting youth entrepreneurship by enhancing access to affordable financing and comprehensive business development services across the County.
“Youth Fund also provides financial support to individual and group business startups who are eligible for a minimum of KSh 100,000 at an 8% interest rate, while ongoing businesses may receive between KSh 100,000 and KSh 2 million depending on their capacity and loan history.” Said Langat.
Mr Langat further explained that eligible groups must consist of a minimum of five members, while the maximum number may vary depending on the group’s internal structure, noting that this flexibility is designed to accommodate a wider range of community-based ventures and ensure that more youth-led initiatives can qualify for funding under the Youth Enterprise Development Fund.
“Repayment timelines are structured to support business growth. Startups begin repayment three months after their business picks up, while existing businesses and groups are expected to start repayment one month after receiving the loan.” Remarked Langat
The Youth Fund, which operates under the State Department for Youth Affairs and the Creative Economy, is mandated to promote enterprise development as a key strategy for expanding economic opportunities and enhancing youth participation in nation-building and sustainable development.
By Kibe Mburu and Elizabeth Amondi
