West Pokot County government has set aside Ksh 20 million under Biashara Mashinani Fund kitty through the Trade, Cooperative and industry Ministry to support business people.
Speaking at the County Assembly building, the Assembly deputy Speaker Johnston Losilian called on energetic business people with less or no capital in the County to apply for business funds in large numbers.
Losilian who is also Chepareria ward MCA said the Ksh 20 million is set to be disbursed in two phases with Ksh 10 million disbursed in phase one, adding that all the wards will benefit.
He added that the funds have a very low-interest rate which the locals in their remote areas will be able to pay within the grace period of six months.
The deputy speaker further asked the County Ministry of Trade, Cooperatives and Industry to try and increase the funds, saying this will be accessible to many people and at the same time improve their livelihoods and the County economy.Presenting the
Presenting the names of the management committee in the assembly, West Pokot nominated member of County Assembly and a member of the Trade, Cooperatives and Industry Ministry Mr Johnson Lokato dismissed claims that the funds had already been released last year.
Lokato added that the list had catered for all the wards, the two-third gender rule and also had people living with disabilities. He said the committee will start its work right away and they are going to sensitize the locals on the importance of using and returning the Biashara Mashinani funds.
He reiterated that they will disburse the funds with no discrimination between the wards or political affiliation and tribe. “We have put in place all policies and rules to ensure that everybody gets the money without any discrimination,” he said.
Wei Wei ward MCA, who is also the Minority Leader, David Moiben explained that the funds will boost honey farmers, milk production and other business people who have small start-ups and don’t have title deeds or log books to give to the banks for a loan.
He added that they would be giving between Kshs 50,000 to Kshs 100,000 per group or individual and more for the cooperatives.
Moiben urged West Pokot residents to apply and take advantage of the available funds to
improve their livelihoods and boost the economy.