Youth and women groups in Elgeyo Marakwet County have received cheque amounting to Sh13.5 million to be distributed in all the 20 wards across the county.
The 75 groups undertaking value addition were given Sh 9.5 million in total while Sh 4 million went to women empowerment groups through the Nation Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).
The funds are expected to be used in value addition and other community based organizations for the members to improve their economic status.
Addressing the press at Iten in Keiyo North Constituency, the Women Representative for Elgeyo Marakwet County Jane Chebaibai said that they have set aside more funds to sponsor youths to train in driving schools, water tanks donation and sports tournaments.
“We also have bursaries that we have been giving to students and others who wish to go to driving schools,” she said.
The legislator encouraged more youths to apply for the grants to improve their economic status. Most of the groups empowered engaged in value addition activities such as incubation of eggs, milk ATM, hair dressing and cyber cafes.
The youth and women groups who benefitted were urged to use the funds in the right way to improve their livelihood. She said that the money would come in handy to help them especially during the tough economic times occasioned by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
She said that some sub counties have registered a low number of registered groups and noted that the funds were given in form of grants where they would not be expected to pay back the money after some time.
The programme is also engaged in donating wheelchairs to disabled persons across the county.
By Walter Kibet
