At least 46 self-help groups in Kisii County have received cheques totaling Sh10 million in capital to boost their enterprises from the National Government Affirmative Action Fund.
In addition, disadvantaged groups, including widows and widowers, received Christmas items from well-wishers living in the diaspora worth Sh400,000.
Issuing the cheques and foodstuffs in different parts of the county, Kisii Woman Rep Doris Donya Aburi said most of the groups, including women self-help groups, received between Sh150, 000 and Sh250, 000 as requested by the beneficiaries.
Aburi appealed to more groups to apply so that they can be considered to benefit from the fund.
The Woman Representative cited a myriad of challenges that widows and widowers face, including a lack of support from the community over allegations of barrenness, giving birth to children of only one gender, and being disinherited of their property, among others.
The disadvantaged groups, including widows and widowers, received their donations from well-wishers in the diaspora in collaboration with the office of the Woman Representative.
At least 200 of them received the non-food items which were distributed at
Kiareni primary school, Marani ward, Marani Subcounty, Kisii County, courtesy of the Minto Foundation, which is based in North America.
Addressing the press during the event, the leader of the Minto Foundation,
Risper Abraham said the gesture was meant to give back to the community by the Gusii community members living in North America.
Abraham said the Omogusii people in the diaspora had formed the foundation to help their people back at home and had done it through scholarships for education and medical support.
Abraham said the foundation had enabled them to keep in touch with their community and was not about to stop what she termed as noble work they started.
One beneficiary, Martin Nyamweya, applauded the organisation, saying it had mentored him and enabled him to pull through one of the most difficult parts of his life.
During the event, 800 people received government services from Huduma Centre, which mounted a stand at the venue to bring the services closer to residents.
By Jane Naitore
