Persons with disabilities (PWDs), youth, and women in the Belgut sub-county, Kericho County have been urged to take advantage of the various government empowerment funds to improve their socio-economic well-being.
The call was made by the area member of parliament Nelson Koech during the disbursement of Uwezo fund cheques’ ceremony held at Kipsolu secondary school grounds.
This is after the government through the State Department of Youth Affairs disbursed over 7 million to Belgut Sub-County youth groups to spur entrepreneurship and economic growth in the current financial year.
Forty-one groups drawn from different wards in the Sub-County notably Waldai, Kabianga, Kapsuser, Seretut/Cheptororiet, and Chaik benefited from the disbursement – they received cheques of between Shs 100,000 to Shs 500,000.
The MP applauded the groups that were able to refund the loans given earlier and urged the rest to repay to the revolving kitty so that other groups could benefit from the noble initiative.
“I salute the groups who have benefitted and have a good track record and I appeal to new beneficiaries to refund the money after the six-month grace periods for smooth processing of the fund and distribution to others,” said MP Koech.
Hon. Koech called on youths to form self-help groups and seek government funds as they were intended to enable them to put up sustainable income-generating projects that will empower them economically and thus improve their living standards.
Belgut Uwezo Fund Manager Jonah Rono said that the fund has been well-received by youths in the sub-county since inception, with many groups using the loans to start businesses or invest in agriculture.
“The loan is zero percent and the minimum the group can receive is Shs 100,000 with the maximum at Shs 500,000. A group benefitting from the government funds receives a grace period of six months and the repayment period is 24 months. I call upon youths to visit their Sub-County offices and get to learn of various government opportunities available to them,” said Rono.
One of the beneficiaries of the fund is the Koolu self-help group, which has received Sh500,000 after repaying their third loan of Sh300,000 which they borrowed in 2020.
The group, which has 12 members, started off by undertaking table banking and then went on to invest in poultry farming. They are now using the third loan to expand their agricultural venture.
“I am happy that our group has received Sh500,000 and we are committed to repaying it as fast as possible. Our initial loan in 2014 was Sh150,000 and we are serious about expanding our agricultural venture using this third Uwezo fund monies,” said the group’s treasurer, Esther Teuituk.
SOURCE:KENYA NEWS AGENCY