Women and youth groups in Homa Bay County have benefited from diverse equipment donated through the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).

Homa Bay Woman Representative Joyce Bensouda Osogo said over 225 women and youth groups have this year benefited from equipment worth Sh9.3 million while another Sh10 million was allocated in the last financial year.

The equipment includes sewing machines, salon equipment, carwash machines, mechanic tool boxes, water tanks amongst others.

Speaking over the weekend during the second edition of Homa Bay county Juakali artisan day at Raila Odinga Stadium in Homa Bay town, Dr Osogo said her office had also invested over 20 million shillings in sports development through the “Bensouda super cup 2026.”

“We are bringing together small and medium enterprises, youth and women groups to create a platform for skills development, access to government services, business linkages, market opportunities, technology transfer and enterprise growth,” the legislator said.

She said her office had also supported education by disbursing bursaries worth Sh44.1 million to over 6,900 bright needy learners across the county.

Dr Osogo added that in a bid to uplift the livelihoods of small traders, her office had built modern markets in Ramba, Kabondo West Ward and Ratanga in Ndhiwa constituency while construction of Oriang market in Karachuonyo constituency was ongoing.

“We have also supported over 10,000 traders with worktops, giant umbrellas, chairs and other equipment to improve working conditions across markets,” she said.

The Woman Rep noted that her office had drilled boreholes in Kanyadhiang and Kanyaluo in Homa Bay town constituency to support access to clean water for the locals.

She added that over 200 water tanks had also been distributed to schools, churches and markets across the county.

Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary (CS) Wycliffe Oparanya who graced the occasion expressed the government’s commitment to supporting micro small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) through financial incentives.

Oparanya said over 20 million Kenyans were earning a living from the sector and that the government had established various funds to support businesses.

“Our entrepreneurs can source financial support from the Uwezo fund, Women Fund, Youth Fund, the Kenya Industrial Estates, Kenya Development Corporation amongst others,” Oparanya said

He added that the government has built over 400 modern market across the country to support the MSMEs.

The CS noted that technology was central in entrepreneurship and urged the traders to embrace tech to ease business transactions.

He told off those who have raised issues with the proposed Dangote Oil refinery project in Lamu.

“It is unfortunate that we have such politicians who are hell-bent on driving away investors from the country, please tell them off if they come to you seeking votes,” Oparanya said.

Oparanya said that private sector participation was very critical as the engine of development and job creation.

“The Dangote Oil refinery will transform the country with the projected creation of 60,000 jobs during construction,” he added.

He told Kenyans to maintain peace during the memorial of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

He said that the ODM party was in the broad-based government to stay.

“We must ensure that both the ODM and UDA parties are strengthened to form a strong government after next year’s elections,” Oparanya said.

He hailed Homa Bay County Woman Representative Joyce Osogo for mobilizing resources to support MSMEs across the county.

The ceremony was attended by the Secretary Public Communications Patricia Odeng who represented Principal Secretary State Department for Broadcasting and Telecommunications Stephen Isaboke.

By Davis Langat