Kajiado County Assembly has given a nod to a Bill that will see women receive a grant to empower them economically.
The new Law has been received with great joy by women in the County as they have been marginalized for long in all sectors of the economy due the high levels of illiteracy, especially in the rural areas.
Subsequently, the women engaged only in the informal sector, whereby, they sell beadworks and milk as they tend to their homesteads.
Speaking after passing of the Bill, the Gender, Tourism, Wildlife, Youth and Sports Committee Chair, Ms Yvonne Tonkei, noted that the Fund will facilitate economic growth of women in the County and reduce poverty.
Those eligible for the Fund are women groups consisting of only residents of Kajiado County, and are registered with the Department of Social Services, Cooperatives or the Registrar of Societies.
The Funds will be issued to groups which are based and operational at the ward level and are practicing table banking. The groups must have a 50 and above membership.
The Fund limit will be between Sh100, 000 and 300,000 for groups and a minimum of Sh100, 000 and Sh1, 000,000 for institutions such as Kule Dairy.
The kitty consists of funds from the County Government, grants and donations.
Women in the County have, however, urged politicians not to use the kitty for political mileage and called for accountability and transparency in the issuance of the same.
By Diana Meneto
