The government has disbursed Ksh7.9 billion under the Uwezo Fund to over 82,000 groups across the country since its inception, Principal Secretary for the State Department of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Susan Mang’eni, has announced.
Speaking at the Eliud Kipchoge Showground in Kapsabet during the distribution of Uwezo Fund cheques worth Ksh7.1 million to 40 groups across Emgwen Sub-county, Mang’eni emphasized the transformative potential of the fund.
“Uwezo Fund is a flagship Vision 2030 programme aimed at empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities by providing access to finances to promote businesses and enterprises,” she stated.
The fund adopts a bottom-up approach, with decision-making devolved to the grassroots, aligning with Sustainable Development Goals i.e. to eradicate extreme poverty and hunger and promote gender equality and empower women.
Highlighting the importance of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Kenya’s economy, Mang’eni noted, “SMEs contribute significantly to our economy. Kenya has a potential workforce of 20 million, but only 1 million are in civil service. Elevating the SME sector to a primary sector is a step towards harnessing this untapped potential.”
She called for intentional business-oriented approaches, adding that government officers will be on the ground for two days to sensitize the public on available opportunities.
The PS also discussed the achievements of the Hustler Fund, revealing that 24.6 million Kenyans have borrowed from the fund, with 2 million borrowing for business purposes. “We have disbursed Ksh56.7 million, and borrowers are diligently repaying. This culture of borrowing and repaying on time is commendable,” she said.
To mark the second anniversary of the Hustler Fund later this month, the government will unveil a new product ‘the Bridge Loan’. This facility will target borrowers with a good repayment history, tripling their loan limits and extending the repayment period to 30 days. It will act as a bridge to the SME loan product, which offers millions to upgrade businesses.
Mang’eni urged citizens to form sector-specific groups, such as those in dairy farming, to enable the government to identify their needs and secure markets for their products. She highlighted plans to introduce special loans to boost value addition in sectors like dairy, edible oils, and other manufacturing chains.
She also encouraged women, youth, and persons with disabilities to take advantage of the 30 percent of government tenders reserved for them, urging them to embrace financial inclusion and use opportunities such as LPO financing to expand their businesses.
“The youth are our leading natural resource, and their empowerment is crucial to driving economic growth,” Mang’eni noted. With Kenya’s population growing younger, the government has prioritized youth-focused initiatives to enhance their economic participation.
During the event, exhibitions showcased Nandi County’s diverse value chains, including cotton, coffee, leather, edible oils, tomatoes, honey, and dairy. These sectors have immense potential for manufacturing and value addition, key drivers of job and wealth creation.
Area MP Josses Lelmengit, who attended the event, used the platform to launch the Constituency Strategic Plan 2023–2028.
As the government continues to empower citizens through financial inclusion and strategic investments, the Uwezo Fund and Hustler Fund remain pivotal in transforming the lives of millions at the grassroots level.
By Linet Wafula
