Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki has assured women traders popularly known as mama mboga and other small scale traders that the government is accelerating construction of modern markets and provision of grants in a bid to boost their businesses and raise income.
Speaking at his Irunduni home, Tharaka Nithi County when he met about 5000 women from Meru County, the Deputy President said the 400 modern markets under construction across the country is in line with the realisation of the Kenya Kwanza’s administration’s Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) geared at improving the lives of the majority of Kenyans, especially women who are the bedrock of the nation’s economy.
He noted that the nation’s economy is vibrant because of tireless efforts by those at the bottom.
“We will not underestimate the power of women in transforming the country’s fortunes through micro and small enterprises. Women-led nano, micro and small scale businesses, tiny as they are, are at the foundation of strong economic transformation, and the creation of an inclusive prosperous nation,” said Professor Kindiki.
He said Meru County is a beneficiary of 21 markets meant to dignify the working places of millions of mama mboga and other traders, and that the biggest of all the 400 will be Gakoromone in Meru town costing Sh800 million.
With the government rolling out empowerment programs to boost Micro Small Medium Entreprises countrywide, the DP encouraged the women to take advantage of them by registering groups for easier funding.
“Other countries have developed because of empowering small and medium enterprises run by groups. It is the best way to consolidate the nation’s economic growth,” he added said the DP encouraging the women to register for SHA coverage to cushion themselves from high medical expenses.
He said the government wants every Kenyan to have medical cover whether they have a source of income or not, and that once they register they will be taken through a means testing system to determine what to contribute every month.
Those unable to contribute, he explained, the government will come on board and pay for them.
On development, the DP said Meru is a beneficiary of the government’s agenda pointing at various projects going on in the county.
“The elevation of Meru Level five to Level six is underway to provide better health services to the locals. Revival of stalled roads has begun as well as expansion of last-mile electricity connection,” said Professor Kindiki.
He said re-construction of Nithi bridge which is critical for safe travelling across the region is set to begin shortly, after the government allocated Sh1 billion.
“As I push for national development I have not forgotten Meru County. I will not let you down, I will work hard to ensure we deliver all the promises because we will come back to you for support in the coming elections,” he promised.
By Dickson Mwiti
