The National Government’s Uwezo Fund has allocated Sh2.85 million to 18 youth, women and persons with disabilities groups in Ainamoi Constituency, Kericho County, to support income-generating activities and improve livelihoods.

Kericho East Sub-County Youth Officer Gladys Kipng’ok, who is also in charge of the Uwezo Fund in the constituency, said the beneficiaries comprise 13 new groups and five groups receiving refinancing.

Kipng’ok, who spoke to KNA after a sensitization forum for area residents held at the Kericho Vocational Rehabilitation Centre in Kericho town, said the funds would be disbursed after beneficiaries complete capacity-building training aimed at equipping them with skills to manage the funds and meet the repayment requirements.

Since its inception, Ainamoi Constituency has disbursed Sh27 million to 154 groups, with some beneficiaries having received the funds more than once through refinancing.

Kipng’ok said the fund is interest-free, with beneficiaries given a six-month grace period before repaying the money over 24 months.

She said the fund has contributed to improved living standards among beneficiaries, with groups that have embraced the programme progressing to their third round of refinancing.

“The groups are here for capacity building so that they are able to use the funds well and repay as per the required guidelines,” Kipng’ok said.

The Uwezo Fund Officer identified loan defaulting as a major challenge, saying the revolving nature of the fund means that failure by existing beneficiaries to repay limits the amount available for other groups.

She said repayment enforcement has been strengthened through collaboration with local administration and the National Government Administration Officers, with chiefs also helping to trace groups that have received the funds.

Kipng’ok expressed hope that the strengthened repayment mechanisms would reduce defaulting and increase the uptake of the fund, allowing more deserving persons to benefit from the programme.

The Uwezo Fund was established in 2014 to target youth, women and persons with disabilities by providing accessible financial support at constituency level to enable groups to undertake income-generating activities.

by Humphrey Edwin