Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has raised Sh 8.6 million to support women groups in Baringo Central Sub County.
Speaking at Kabarnet National Museums grounds on Friday when he presided over the women empowerment programme to support more than 250 groups, Mudavadi said he accepted the invitation because he is very passionate in uplifting the lives of women engaging in small scale businesses.
The Prime CS who made a personal contribution of Sh 500,000 and delivered Sh 1 million from President Dr. William Ruto lauded the women for their efforts in saving up to Sh 5.6 million for their empowerment programme.
He encouraged the women to start small, noting that President Ruto is a good example to be emulated because he began by selling chicken yet now sitting with top world leaders.
Mudavadi added that Baringo is dear to him since he was born there and pledged to team up with local leaders to ensure that the various groups in the region get the much needed assistance to improve their livelihoods.
“This is where I was born, at a hospital near here and I pledge to team up with your leaders to ensure that I also leave my legacy in Baringo,” he said.
Mudavadi, at the same time, allayed fears concerning the government threshold for issuance of electronically generated invoices (eTiMS) in the Finance bill 2024 which he assured that it will not affect small scale businesses whose turnover is below Sh 8 million.
Governor Benjamin Cheboi said his administration will collaborate with like-minded leaders to support the women to realize their dream of having a poultry slaughter house which apart from creating job opportunities will also create a ready market.
The Baringo boss disclosed that he will invite the Prime CS again to the county to initiate mega projects including a mother and child unit at the Baringo County Referral Hospital where he was born.
On the finance bill 2024 debate, the governor cautioned about misinformation being peddled around concerning the eTiMS affecting small scale business men and women which he said was a lie.
“The eTiMS will not apply to those people who are struggling to make their ends meet, let nobody lie to you,” he said.
Baringo Central Maendeleo Ya Wanawake Organization chairlady Miriam Kipkoech who mentioned an upcoming slaughter house project in Kabarnet town said, the ambitious project will boost the groups through export of meat to overseas countries and in turn fetching huge incomes.
Ms Kipkoech at the same time said the women are engaging in other activities like table banking, dairy farming, tree nurseries and environmental conservation which has led to their tremendous growth.
The event was also attended by National assembly majority leader Kimani Ichungwa, county commissioner Stephen Kutwa, members of parliament Joshua Kandie (Baringo Central), Musa Sirma (Eldama ravine), Reuben Kiborek (Mogotio) amongst other leaders.
By Benson Kelio
