Since the inception of Fund, a decade ago, Kakamega County has received a total of Sh292.432million in Uwezo Fund allocations that was disbursed to 3,703 groups and institutions.
By Faith Anene, Kakamega
A few years ago, Shisende Mungo Women Group received Sh80, 000, which was an interest-free credit facility from Uwezo Fund.
The group led by its chairperson Abigael Makotsi, invested the first disbursement they received into catering business.
“We used the money to buy chairs, sufurias, plates and a tent,” said Ms Makotsi, at Malinya Youth Empowerment grounds in Ikolomani constituency during the issuance of cheques to youth and women groups by Uwezo Fund.
She added: “We repayed the loan within 10 months, which made the group to be eligible for more funding. We received the second disbursement of Sh160, 000, which we invested into the poultry business,”
According to Ms Makotsi, they hatch and sell and day-old and one month old chicks to farmers within Ikolomani sub county, saying the demand is very high to the extend they are unable to serve all their customers.
“As a group besides our catering business, we earn a living by selling chicks, eggs and the birds for meat. The proceeds from the birds have made enabled the group members educate their children and even invest in other projects,” said Makotsi
Having cleared the second loan advanced to them within 10 months, they received the third disbursement of Sh320, 000, which they pumped into the catering business thus expanding there reach as well as into farming.
“We are expecting to get an additional funding of Sh620, 000 to expand our business and as usual, we shall repay the money in 10 months,” said Makotsi, adding, “the profits we get, we save the money in a local Sacco where we earn dividends annually and share it equally among the members,”
The Young Shanjetso Youth Group started off as a welfare group which invested in table banking.
In 2019, the group was advanced Sh50, 000 from Uwezo Fund. After successfully servicing the loan, in 2021 the group was again loaned Sh100, 000 which they invested in poultry farming and currently owning 1549 improved kienyeji chicken ranging from one day chick to mature birds.
Uwezo Fund Board Chairperson Anne Njuguna (left), Malava MP Malulu Injendi (centre) and Cooperatives Cs Wycliffe Oparanya (right) during the event
“We intend to expand our business to 5,000 birds at ago and at the same time, be selling over 1,000 day old chicks every month,” said Enock Mbaya, the group chairman
During the event, Uwezo Fund Board chairperson, Anne Njuguna said that from “the stories we have heard how the fund is transforming lives”, adding, “we are committed to providing funds that will be used to empower groups at the grassroots, offer training, capacity building and market linkages for entrepreneurial ventures, leading to gainful self-employment and economic growth”.
Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Cabinet Secretary, Wycliffe Oparanya presided over the issuance of Uwezo Fund cheques to various groups across the county during the event.
Susan Mang’eni, the MSMEs Principal Secretary, Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savulan and MPs Benard Shinali (Ikolomani), Titus Khamala (Lurambi), Malulu Injendi (Malava) and Elsie Muhanda (Kakamega Woman MP) and among other senior government officials were present.
“Today we are launching the issuance of Sh72.77 million for lending women and youth groups in Kakamega County. Out of these, Sh13.25million has already been approved by the Fund’s Board for issuance to 134 groups in five constituencies namely, Ikolomani, Mumias West, Lugari, Shinyalu and Lurambi,” said Oparanya
According to Oparanya, since the inception of Fund, a decade ago, Kakamega County has received a total of Sh292.432million in Uwezo Fund allocations, which was disbursed to 3,703 groups and institutions.
“The sustainability of the Fund largely depends on the repayment of loaned funds, and to date, the Fund has recorded a cumulative repayment of Sh3 billion, translating to a 40.37 per cent repayment rate,” ~ Oparanya
“These funds have benefitted 2,501 women groups, 1,120 youth groups and 82 groups of PWDs with 46,083 individuals in the entire county,” said Oparanya, saying, “the current repayment rate in the county stands at 37.81 per cent,”
Nationally, since its inception, Uwezo Fund has disbursed about Sh7.8billion to 81,542 groups across the 290 constituencies.
These funds have reached 52,841 women groups, 26,620 youth groups, and 2,081 groups of PWDs, with an average absorption rate for the Fund standing at 115.93 per cent.
“The sustainability of the Fund largely depends on the repayment of loaned funds, and to date, the Fund has recorded a cumulative repayment of Sh3 billion, translating to a 40.37 per cent repayment rate,” said Oparanya
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