At least 1,200 Boda boda riders in Kaiti Constituency have benefited from Sh2.5 million through an Economic Empowerment Programme that is being spearheaded by the Principal Secretary, State Department for Aviation and Aerospace Development Teresia Mbaika.
Among the boda boda riders who benefitted are those in SACCOs in Ukia, Kee, Ilima and Kilungu Wards, respectively.
The cheques were issued to the various groups on behalf of the Principal Secretary by the Director of Health Promotion and Programme Management at the National Syndemic Disease Control Council (NSDCC), Dr Stephen Ndolo, at Mukuyuni Social and Akatch Stadium on Wednesday.
While issuing the cheques, Dr Ndolo challenged the boda boda SACCOs to utilise the monies on income-generating projects to uplift their lives.
“We have issued cheques to various Boda Boda SACCO groups in Mukuyuni and Kyambeke. This is the government’s intention of the Bottom-up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). We fundraised Sh1.8 million, and the Principal Secretary has added Sh700,000,” said Ndolo.
“We have distributed the monies to all boda boda groups in Kaiti Constituency as per the number of membership and registration. The biggest group, Mukuyuni SACCO, got Sh449,000, which is the highest amount given,” the Director added.
Dr Ndolo said that it was the Kenya Kwanza administration’s commitment to support youths and strengthen the boda boda sector through economic initiatives.
Speaking at the economic empowerment, the Vice Chairman of the Mukuyuni Boda Boda Self-Help Group, Stanislaus Mbithi Muia, lauded President William Ruto’s government for keeping the promise.
“Today we have received Sh449,000. We thank the government for honouring the promise they gave us through the Principal Secretary. As a group, we will sit down and plan what project we can do with the funds to help us. I also ask the National Government to help us get insurance and licenses,” he added.
A member of Kaumoni Boda Boda Sacco Joseph Muange said they will invest the funds wisely in projects that will improve their lives and also thanked the government for the support.
By Patrick Nyakundi
