At least 11 self-help groups in Mbooni Constituency have benefitted from Sh 2.48 million under the Uwezo Fund to promote economic growth, entrepreneurship, and self-sustainability.
Among the groups that benefited include 4 youth groups namely Kilimani, (Shs.120,000), Fungua Macho Welfare, (Shs.350,000), Supernatural Starlight (Shs.120,000) and Kitundu Age Set that received Shs.160,000.
Others that benefitted were Watuka/Kyaume (Shs.500,000,) St. Teresa (Shs.320,000), Muuo Kalawani ( Shs.350,000,) Jiinue Mama (Shs.140,000,) Kakenge Amani Stars (Shs.160,000), Imani Catering Services (Shs.100,000) and Kitonyoni women group that got Shs.160,000.
Speaking while presiding over the issuance of cheques on Friday at Tawa Social Hall, Uwezo Fund Oversight Board Chairperson Ann Njuguna said the Fund seeks to empower and promote businesses owned by the target groups to foster self-employment and economic growth.
“The fund supports the bottom-up transformation by providing affordable, accessible, and interest-free credit facilities to registered groups of women, youth, and persons with disabilities in 290 constituencies in the country,” said Ms Njuguna.
She said Makueni County has received Sh157, 664,943 allocations since the inception of the Uwezo Fund.
She said the Fund has benefitted 1,821 women groups, 372 youth groups, and 71 groups of Persons with Disabilities in the county.
“The county boasts a high absorption rate of 128.78 percent indicating that all allocated funds have been disbursed to groups and repaid amounts had been revolved to support other beneficiary groups,” she observed.
However, the Chairperson noted that the current repayment rate in the county stands at 46.69 % with Kibwezi East Constituency leading with 70.22% while Mbooni tailed at 29.60%.
Njuguna decried the low uptake of funds, especially by the youths saying her organization is going to put measures and incentives to attract youths to utilize the funds.
Consequently, Njuguna advised residents to form groups to benefit from various government funds to help them initiate income-generating projects to improve their living standards.
Speaking at the same function, Mbooni Member of Parliament Erastus Kivasu said that Uwezo Fund has uplifted families’ living standards besides ensuring learners complete their education.
“This money is not for buying mandazi and clothes. But I urge you to utilize the funds and ensure it is repaid back on time,” he posed.
However, Kivasu regretted that some groups had defaulted warning that the government would go after them to ensure they repay the loans.
“We have the records of some groups that were funded in 2018 and failed to repay about Shs.3 million. Know that we are coming for you to ensure you repay the money to benefit others,” he warned.
By Patrick Nyakundi
