Public Service, Gender Affairs and Senior Citizens Cabinet Secretary, Prof. Margaret Kobia has appealed to women in Kenya to go out of their ways and apply for funds set aside by the government to improve their well-being.
Speaking during a visit to Marinya-A Ruibi, her former primary school, in Buuri sub-county Meru County, CS Kobia called on women to liaise with those in authority including Chiefs and their Assistants to know the offers available for them from the government.
“When you get in touch with these leaders including the County Commissioners, you will get to know how the government is giving out Women Enterprise Funds (WEF), how you can get Uwezo fund and also, they will tell you how our young people can get funding through the Youth Enterprise fund,” said Professor Kobia.
She said to begin with, women can be offered up to Sh100,000 as a group but this has also been increased to Sh1,000,000 for established groups.
She thanked the women enterprise board for ensuring that out of the Sh24billion issued by the WEP in the entire country, Meru County alone got Sh1 Billion which means the county has been a priority in terms of having its women being empowered economically.
The CS disbursed Sh39 million from Affirmative Funds in Meru County, Sh24.2 million from Women Enterprise Fund to 71 groups and 818 individual beneficiaries and Sh15.2 million was disbursed from Uwezo Fund to 138 groups in the County.
The Cabinet Secretary described the event as a momentous occasion as she reflected on her journey in the 61-year-old school where she also commissioned a borehole and launched a new administration block.
She urged the students to be fearless in their pursuit of studies and emphasised that one’s background should not hinder them from reaching their full potential.
“As alumni of this school, we are a testament to the fact that one’s background does not limit their future. That with hard work and determination we can all access opportunities for success,” she said.
The Cabinet Secretary underscored the need to invest in children in order to invest in the future.
“Education is the greatest equalizer and it is the most valuable inheritance we can bequeath to our children. Therefore, investing in this school is investing in our children, in their future and the future of this entire community,” she said.
The construction of the borehole and the administration block was a joint effort between the alumni, Ministry of Education, the school administration and Food Agricultural Organization (FAO).
Since 2013 and in the current and outgoing government, Uwezo Fund has contributed Sh251 million for 49,261 households in Meru County for the same period to benefit women, youth and persons with disabilities.
By Dickson Mwiti
