Nyeri County Government has distributed empowerment items to at least 16 youth, women and PWD groups in Iiriani ward of Othaya Sub-County Nyeri.
Speaking while distributing the items, area Governor Mutahi Kahiga, said the items have been purchased through the Department of Gender, Youth and Social Services under the Nyeri County Youth, Women and PWDs Empowerment Programme.
Mutahi said this programme was first piloted in this ward and has since been expanded to 16 wards in the first phase. 13 wards will be involved in the second phase.
Among the items distributed included tents, chairs, laundry machine, sufurias, developer mixers, 10 litre tea-urns, printer, photocopier, drier and blow drier to the benefitting groups.
Speaking while receiving the items, Judy Mwangi whose group benefitted with tents expressed the joy that they can now feel relieved from the burden of hiring tents at Sh2, 500 each time they have big occasions.
“We will not be hiring tents during burials or weddings since our Governor has remembered us,” said the women.
Another group that operates a saloon said with the drier and blow drier, they will be able to operate their saloons easier saying lack of proper equipment was hindering their progress.
Mutahi also added that the main goal of this programme is to incubate an assortment of income generating activities into viable economic activities for youth, women and People Living with Disability (PWDs), which will graduate into established businesses for the social economic development of the county.
He urged the beneficiaries to take care of the items and use them to enable them make a living for their families.
By Beth Ndirangu
