Turkana County Governor, Jeremiah Lomorukai has launched a Ksh. 187.5 million fund aimed at benefiting women and youth groups in the county.
The Youth and Women Empowerment Fund was distributed to 875 groups that include 25 groups drawn from each of the 30 wards in the County.
Each group received at least Sh250, 000 to be repaid with an interest rate of 3% within a period of 24 months.
The Governor said the objective of the fund was to support the socio-economic status of youth and women by providing seed capital for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Turkana County.
The Governor, accompanied by County First Lady Lillian Ekamais, urged the youth and women in Turkana County to take advantage of the opportunity to start and grow their businesses and create employment opportunities for themselves and their communities.
“I urge you to grow this money, invest in high-potential businesses and repay the loan before applying for another loan. This is a revolving fund that is meant to grow so that there is a seed fund for more loans,” he said.
He said the Fund is in line with his administration’s agenda on Wealth Creation, which is aimed at improving the lives of people and enhancing revenue collection through creation of economic opportunities and the promotion of entrepreneurship.
Governor Lomorukai emphasized that empowering youth and women is critical to achieving the agenda, enabling them to participate fully in the county’s economic activities and contribute to the growth and development of Turkana County.
He said, “We are empowering our youth and women to become job creators rather than job seekers. We are enabling them to take control of their economic future and contribute to the growth and development of Turkana County. This, in turn, will lead to an increase in revenue collection.”
The Chief Administrative Secretary for Energy and Petroleum, John Lodepe, who graced the event, announced that President William Ruto will soon launch the Hustler Fund for business groups that will receive at least Sh500, 000.
County Executive for Trade, Elizabeth Loote, noted that the minimum loan had been increased to Sh250, 000 through a directive by the Governor, while the Chairlady of the Fund’s Committee, Patricia Nyanga Kebo, urged beneficiaries to be diligent in loan repayment.
The launch was attended by various leaders, including a host of MCAs led by Majority Whip Samal Etubon, who urged the County Government to increase investment in the food production sector, including agriculture, fisheries, and livestock development. They also called for the extension of loans to cooperative societies and beneficiaries such as farmers, fisher-folk, and livestock traders.
County Executives Peter Akono (Lands), and David Erukudi (Agriculture), Ag. Chief Officer for Trade Mark Amiyo and Director of Trade James Lokwale were among senior County Government staff present at the launch.
By Peter Gitonga
