More than 21 groups of women, youth and persons living with disabilities in Kangema Constituency have benefited from Sh4.76 million under phase 9 of the Uwezo Fund disbursement.

The fund is aimed at boosting small enterprises and promoting economic empowerment at the grassroots.

Kangema Member of Parliament Peter Kihungi noted that the programme is helping communities build sustainable income, create job opportunities and reduce overreliance on formal employment.

He underscored that the fund has continued to make a significant impact in rural areas by giving vulnerable groups access to affordable credit to start or expand businesses.

“Notably low default rates within our groups have ensured that new entrants benefit, and the fund we are getting now is on an upward trajectory.”

Kihungi noted that last year the constituency disbursed Sh3.3M, bringing the total to Sh19.12 spent in empowering the common mwananchi to affordable financing for income-generating activities. Million.

“When these groups thrive, the entire constituency thrives,” he said. “This is how local economies are built as small businesses grow, families earn, and young people find work close to home,” he said.

Kangema DCC Thomas Nyoro urged the beneficiaries to engage in activities that would empower them, as the government was committed to ensuring that the person at the lowest level of the pyramid gets access to its funds and opportunities.

“We have seen many groups have empowered their members; I encourage even the new entrants to learn from these existing ones and be prudent with these funds,” he said.

He added, “The government has also availed several funds, yet the uptake remains low; let us take advantage of the availability of these funds to uplift our societies.”

The beneficiaries who have engaged in projects ranging from dairy goat keeping, horticulture, poultry, table banking and small-scale trade thanked the government for making the process transparent and accessible, noting that the loans come at a time when many families are struggling with high living costs.

Pioneer Women Group received Sh500,000, marking an expansion of their previous loan of Sh 300,000, which they successfully repaid.

According to group chairperson Rosemary Wanjiru, the women have been rearing dairy goats, while others lease farms to grow horticultural crops for the local market.

“We started very small, but the profit from the goats and vegetables has helped mothers pay school fees and meet household needs. We are grateful because Uwezo has changed our lives,” she said.

“At the start we received Sh100,000, then Sh300,000. Now see how far we have come today; all our members are empowered, and life is bearable despite the high cost of basic commodities and food,” he noted.

Persons with disabilities also benefited, with a 10-member group receiving Sh 300,000 from the previous Sh 100,000 they received last year.

Their chairperson, Irungu Mwangi, said they set up a permanent chicken house, and each member already has 100 chickens.

“This money gives us dignity. We don’t just ask for help; we work for ourselves. Once we repay, our goal is to apply for Sh500,000 and expand poultry production or even engage in dairy or goat rearing,” Mwangi added.

By Florence Kinyua