By H, KNA
Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani says the devolved government seeks to create an enabling environment for women, youth and persons with disabilities to thrive in their businesses.
Governor Achani says such support will help them grow the economy of the coastal county.
She said vulnerable groups in the society deserve adequate support to increase their productive efforts and improve their livelihoods.
The coastal county boss urged women, youth and PWDs to make use of programmes like the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) to improve their livelihoods.
AGPOA is an affirmative action program that seeks to ensure women, youth and people with disabilities have equal opportunities in life.
Achani said the devolved government is committed to supporting women and youth-led enterprises because they are critical to job creation and local economic growth.
She said the aim of the AGPO program is to facilitate the enterprises owned by women, youth and persons with disabilities to be able to participate in government opportunities.
This empowerment program establishes that procuring entities should allocate at least 30 per cent of their procurement spend for contracts to micro and small enterprises owned by women, youth and persons with disabilities.
“Women, youth and people living with disabilities that constitute a large percentage of the society need to exploit the AGPO program to finance their businesses,” she said.
The coastal county boss called on women, youth and all vulnerable members of the society to organize themselves into registered business entities to enable them to qualify for tenders and contracts at both county and national levels.
“Let us not wait for opportunities to come to us. Let us organize, register, and compete, the county is ready to walk with you every step of the way, said Achani.
Achani was speaking when she led a women empowerment event that brought together women, youth and persons with disabilities from 20 local based companies at Kanana area in Pongwe/Kikoneni ward, Lunga Lunga Sub County.
Governor Achani says the devolved government is taking steps to address political and economic barriers hindering women’s progress.
She says the county is investing in initiatives that promote self-sufficiency and economic participation among women and youth by bridging financial gaps that hinder their progress.
Achani, Kwale’s first woman governor has assured that her administration will continue to prioritise women advancement in governance, economic participation and social development.
“Kwale remains committed to offering mentorship, training and access to opportunity for all, having registered 300 local companies with 150 having secured county contracts,” she said.
She added ‘empowering women is empowering the community and we are deliberate in giving women and youth a voice in Kwale’s development. When you form companies, you don’t just unlock opportunities; you become a pillar of economic transformation in our homes and society’.
Several women-led companies in Lungalunga Sub-county have already benefited from county tenders and successfully delivered services. These include: Kikoneni Bright Sisters Ltd, who supplied desks and chairs to ECDE centers in the ward.
Lungalunga Umoja Women Contractors, who completed grading works on rural access roads, Mwakijembe Women Supplies, known for supplying sanitary and learning materials to schools, Boma Women Traders Ltd, who provided catering services during official county events.
The event concluded with interactive sessions, where women shared their experiences and received guidance from county officials on business registration, tendering processes, and accessing funding.
Governor Achani’s visit to Kanana is part of a broader countywide empowerment initiative aimed at reducing poverty and promoting self-reliance through entrepreneurship.