Political and religious leaders in Murang’a have renewed calls for the establishment of a special government fund to facilitate men’s empowerment.
The leaders have observed that a big number of men have been left out of empowerment programmes despite shouldering huge economic burdens and social challenges.
They said a dedicated fund would enable men to access affordable credit, business opportunities, skills development and mentorship, helping them regain economic independence and strengthen their contribution towards family and community wellbeing.
The call was made during the launch of the Ngooro Men Community Organization in Kangema Constituency, where more than 150 men came together to champion their welfare and economic empowerment.
The leaders, led by Prof. Peter Kagwanja, said government empowerment programmes have over the years placed considerable emphasis on women and youth, while men have received comparatively little targeted support.
They argued that the economic difficulties facing men have had wider social consequences, including family instability, loss of livelihoods and increased vulnerability to drug and substance abuse.
Kagwanja observed that empowering men should be viewed as part of a broader strategy to strengthen families and communities rather than as competition for resources allocated to women and youth.
He noted that men remain important providers and community leaders and that helping them overcome economic hardships would have a positive ripple effect on households.
Members of the Ngooro organization said many men in the area were struggling to secure stable sources of income, with some unable to meet basic family responsibilities because of unemployment, declining business opportunities and limited access to affordable financing.
They called for government programmes that would provide men with start-up capital, vocational training, business mentorship, and market linkages to enable them to establish sustainable livelihoods.
Religious leaders supporting the initiative said economic empowerment should be accompanied by programmes addressing the social and emotional challenges facing men.
They urged national and county governments to establish mentorship and counselling programmes, arguing that men experiencing financial difficulties often lack safe spaces where they can seek guidance and support.
The leaders also raised concerns over the increasing abuse of alcohol and other substances among some men, saying economic frustration, unemployment and social pressures could contribute to the problem.
They called for stronger community-based interventions to help affected men recover and reintegrate into productive economic and social activities.
The leaders stressed that a men’s empowerment fund should complement, rather than undermine, existing initiatives targeting women and young people.
They said balanced empowerment would ensure that different groups within communities have opportunities to participate in economic development and contribute to household welfare.
The Ngooro Men Community Organization is expected to serve as a platform through which members can pool resources, pursue income-generating activities, mentor one another and advocate for issues affecting men.
The leaders urged policymakers to consider the proposed fund as part of broader measures to address unemployment, poverty, substance abuse, and family-related challenges.
They said investing in men would ultimately benefit entire households, noting that stronger livelihoods and improved social well-being among men could contribute to more stable families and resilient communities.
By Bernard Munyao
