The government through the State Department of Youth Affairs has disbursed over Sh8 million to Bureti sub-county youth groups through uwezo and youth enterprise fund to spur entrepreneurship and economic growth in the current financial year.
The 106 groups drawn from different locations within the area received cheques of varying amounts ranging between Sh50, 000 to Sh400, 000.
Speaking after the presentation ceremony at the CDF hall in Bureti DC headquarters offices, the sub-county Youth Officer Emmanuel Kwambai said women, youths and persons with disability in the area received assistance from Uwezo Fund program and Youth Enterprise fund.
“Bureti sub-county youth groups have benefitted from Uwezo fund up to a tune of Sh3.9 million and Youth Fund of Sh5 million during the financial year of 2019/2020,” said Kwambai.
He stated that a sizeable number of youth groups invest their money in table banking while a few go to agricultural, service, trade and manufacturing ventures.
“The loan is zero per cent and the minimum group can receive is Sh50000 while the maximum goes up to Sh1million. If a group pays well on time they get a boost of the amount they intended to borrow. A group benefitting from the government funds receives a grace period of six months and the repayment period is of 24 months,” said Kwambai.
The sub-county youth officer called on the youth in the area to form self-help groups and seek government funds as they were intended to enable them to put up sustainable income-generating projects which will empower them economically thus improving their living standards.
Kwambai similarly urged the youth to be active and visit their sub-county offices to know various government opportunities available.
In an interview with KNA, the Chairman of Chesang World Self-help group Josphat Korir said the group founded in 2012 has 14 members and had received Sh400, 000 from Uwezo Fund after repaying their first loan of Sh200, 000 in 2014 and committed repaying it within 20 months.
“I am happy that our group has received Sh400, 000 and we are committed to repaying it fast as we did with our first Sh200, 000 which we received in 2014 and paid it back within 20 months. Our 14 members in this Chesang World self-help group are engaged in Boda boda business as well as others operate motor vehicle garages,” said Korir.
By Sarah Njagi
