Some Thika women and youth groups have benefitted from posho mills as a form of empowerment to enable them to beat the high cost of living and the soaring prices of maize flour.
The initiative by Ahadi Kenya and the Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency seeks to ease the availability of cheap maize flour, especially for the most vulnerable groups in Thika and enable them to earn a living.
The posho mills are equipped with electricity and diesel engines and can process maize and other grains such as sorghum and millet.
Speaking in Thika during the handing-over event, Prime Cabinet secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s spouse Tessie Mudavadi said the initiative aims at complementing the government agenda of creating jobs for vulnerable groups.
Mrs. Mudavadi insisted on the need for the youth and women to form cluster groups to benefit from government funds such as the Women Enterprises Fund and Youth Fund to enable them to start income-generating activities.
“The equipment will provide opportunities for the groups to earn. The government also has other empowerment programmes including the Youth and Women Enterprise Fund to enable these cluster groups to earn and beat poverty,” she said.
On her part, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a said besides generating income, the programme will create a circle of the economy within the maize value chain, thus creating a sustainable market for maize and other grains.
She said more groups will benefit from the initiative which is set to be expanded to other parts of the country.
Ahadi Kenya CEO Stanley Kamau said the initiative is expected to help in the fight against drugs and substance abuse, which has become rampant in most parts of Mt. Kenya region.
He called on Kenyans to work towards supporting the government by engaging in meaningful empowerment programs that can change lives for the better.
The seven self-help groups also received 50 and 90kg bags of maize as a startup to kick-start their businesses.
By Muoki Charles
