The Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services has disbursed cheques worth Sh. 26.4 million to 60 women groups comprising 640 beneficiaries in Nyandarua County.
The funds were disbursed through the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) as part of the government’s efforts to economically empower women across the country.
During a Women Empowerment Forum held on Wednesday at Mirangine ward, Olkalou Constituency in Nyandarua County, Principal Secretary for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action, Ms. Ann Wang’ombe noted that since inception of WEP, it has disbursed Sh 28.6 billion in loans to more than 2.29 million women entrepreneurs across the country
The PS further noted that the beneficiaries have expressed strong repayment culture which stands at 95 percent indicating women are responsible borrowers.
Further, PS Wang’ombe added that the fund has also invested heavily in capacity building where over 2 million have benefitted from entrepreneurship training while thousands have received support in financial literacy.
Wang’ombe appreciated the government-run initiative which has come to empower women in building businesses, creating employment and support families despite numerous challenges they face.
She added that women face many barriers that limit their economic potential such as access to affordable credit, reliable markets among many other challenges.
“However, WEP is the most effective instrument for advancing women’s economic Empowerment where it has transformed millions of women entrepreneurs,” added the PS.
Ms. Wang’ombe noted that through Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the government has placed women at the centre of national development hence recognizing that when women succeed economically, communities prosper and nation grows stronger.
She also reiterated that they are collaborating with county governments to support enterprise growth through infrastructure development, market facilities as well as fast-tracking access to local procurement opportunities.
Wang’ombe called upon the women to take advantage of government initiative such as Access to Government Procurement Opportunities among many others.
Board Director, WEP, Wesley Keitany said as Director, he has the privilege of overseeing the strategic direction of the Fund and ensuring that it remains focused on its mandate of empowering women economically.
“Our role is to provide policy guidance, strengthen accountability, and ensure that the Fund delivers meaningful impact to women across the country,” noted Keitany.
He urged the women who have already benefited from the Fund programmes to become ambassadors within their communities by sharing information and encouraging others to take advantage of available opportunities.
Principal Secretary for Social Protection Joseph Motari, who graced the event said the government had fulfilled its commitment to support elderly citizens through the monthly Sh2,000 stipend programme.
Motari urged senior citizens to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying the programme would help improve access to healthcare services. He called on the public to support the registration drive and dismiss misconceptions surrounding the health insurance scheme.
The Forum brought together more than 1000 women entrepreneurs from across Nyandarua County alongside senior government officials, partners, and county leadership to celebrate the transformative impact of WEF, announce new credit disbursements, and reaffirm the Government of Kenya’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
During the event, leaders also campaigned for UDA candidate Muchina Nyaga ahead of the July 16 Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
by Kimani Tirus
