Self-help groups in Kilifi given Sh16m business loans
Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki (left) holds a newborn baby at the Kilifi County Hospital's maternity after opening a gender-based violence recovery centre on July 1, 2016. With her is Principal Secretary Zainab Hussein (right). PHOTO | KAZUNGU SAMUEL | NATION MEDIA GROUP
What you need to know:
- The cheques were presented to the groups by Public Service CS Sicily Kariuki at separate ceremonies in Kilifi town and in Ganze constituency
- The CS praised Kilifi residents for taking up government loans and repaying them in a timely manner.
More than 100 self-help women and youth groups in Kilifi have received Sh16million worth of enterprise loans from the government.
Eighty three groups received Sh13, 550,000 under the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF), while eight women and two youth groups received Sh590, 000.
The cheques were presented to the groups by Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki at separate ceremonies in Kilifi town and in Ganze constituency on Friday.
In Ganze, 42 groups received loans totalling Sh3million for their businesses.
“To reduce gender violence in Kilifi, it is important that youth, men and women are financially stable,’’ said Ms Kariuki.
“These gender violence cases on women commonly occur when they are unable to sustain themselves,” she added during the ceremony at Karisa Maitha stadium.
The CS praised Kilifi residents for taking up government loans and repaying them in a timely manner, stressing that since the inception of the various group loans Sh400million has been disbursed in the county.
In his remarks, Kilifi County Commissioner Joseph Keter said that lack of employment among youth in the county and poverty has contributed to insecurity as those affected engage in criminal activities to survive.
Kilifi County secretary Owen Baya speaking on behalf of Amason Kingi who was in Rabai on official duties, urged women and youth groups to apply for ‘Mbegu Fund’ which also supports young people, women and people with disability to finance their businesses.
The day was also marked by testimonies from various groups who have benefitted from loans by the government.
(Editing by Joel Muinde)
