Persons or registered groups intending to be considered for this year’s funding under the Nyeri County Wezesha Programme have up to February 21 to submit their applications.
The county government, through the Department of Gender, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, has placed an advert on social media calling for applicants for the fund that targets 34 out of the 40 wards in Nyeri.
The Nyeri County Wezesha Programme objective is to target individuals or registered groups currently undertaking income-generating initiatives in order to transform them into profit-minting enterprises.
“The programme aims at boosting registered groups with Income Generating Activities (IGAs) to transform them into viable economic ventures by supporting them with business empowerment equipment, tools and machinery. This is therefore a call for proposals from men, women, youth and persons with Disabilities with existing registered groups,” reads the advert
Those wishing to apply for consideration for the funds are advised to pick up the application forms from the County Social Welfare officers in the respective ward offices, members of County Assembly offices or download the forms from the county government website www.nyeri.go.ke.
Duly filled forms accompanied by all the relevant supporting documents should then be returned to the office of the Chief Officer of Gender, Youth, Sports and Social Services on or before Friday, 21st February 2026.
Applicants can also drop the forms at their area MCA, Social Welfare officers’ offices or via email to nyerigenderyouthss@gmail.com or gsocialservices@gmail.com.
The Wezesha (Empower) programme was launched back in 2018 with an initial budget of Sh1.5 million with the objective of enhancing income generation among registered self-help groups at the ward level.
From then, the programme has grown into a countywide initiative with funding totalling Sh 72 million in the last financial year.
To qualify for the grant, applicants must be enrolled under a registered self-help group.
Successful applicants can benefit from among others car washing machines, salon hair clippers, tents, plastic chairs, video cameras, egg incubators and welding equipment.
In the last financial year alone, the County government distributed equipment and assorted machines to at least 400 self-groups in all the 40 wards under the Wezesha programme.
In September last year, Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga said the county was rooting for empowering the local community groups through the Wezesha programme as one way of creating wealth among rural dwellers.
Kahiga said with adequate support, self-help groups could be transformed into income-generating entities that could change the lives of hundreds of unemployed persons in the villages.
“The Wezesha Empowerment Programme initiative, under the Department of Gender, Youth, Sports, and Social Services, aims to incubate income-generating activities and support grassroots development. This initiative seeks to empower organised groups to grow into profit-driven ventures, aligning with Nyeri County’s mission to achieve socio-economic growth through inclusive governance,” he said while at Gatitu-Muruguru ward in Nyeri Central while distributing tents and plastic chairs to 23 self-help groups.
“We distributed 15 100-seater tents, along with 1,750 chairs, to the 23 Self-Help Groups.
I assured the group members of the County Government’s unwavering support, emphasising that empowerment is key to building stronger, more resilient communities. I encouraged the people of Nyeri to utilise these programmes, expand them, and explore entrepreneurial opportunities to generate profits,” said the governor.
By Samuel Maina
