People living with disability have been urged to form groups in order to benefit from affirmative action funds.
The Cabinet Secretary Public Service and Gender (CS), Prof. Margret Kobia while issuing cheques to groups in the North Imenti Constituency CDF offices urged the beneficiaries of the funds to use the money prudently.
Kobia said that a total of Sh.11million has been issued to women groups and Sh.16 million to youths in the constituency.
“The beauty of affirmative funds is that the women have a wide range of choices on how to utilize the funds unlike the commercial banks where they are strict on loans utilization,” she said.
Kobia urged people with disability to embrace forming of groups to also benefit from the government fund so that they could start income generating activities.
Meanwhile, area MP, Rahim Dawood commended the youths and women in his constituency for good performance in terms of loan repayment.
Dawood noted that his constituency’s loan repayment rate is standing at 92 per cent which was encouraging.
The legislator thanked the president for his foresight on empowering both youth and women with affirmative action funds.
He observed that through affirmative funds, many women and youth especially in the rural areas had been able to start income generating businesses hence being able to take care of their families.
“North Imenti constituency so far has disbursed a total of Sh.37million making it the best constituency in the county in terms of affirmative action funds’ performance,” he said.
He called on the youth to uptake the funds to start income generating ventures as a way of empowering themselves.
He said his constituency office is offering free project proposal writing to groups for those willing to apply for affirmative funds.
“If loans can be advanced and be repaid promptly, that is the way we can develop,” he said.
The legislator asked the security agencies to conduct investigations and take action against suspected people taking advantage of the disabled for their own selfish interest.
By Muguongo Judy
