More than three hundred Women, Youths and people living with disability in West Pokot County have benefited from the Affirmative Action Social Development fund.
The non refundable fund released by the national government will help empower groups to start businesses.
West Pokot women representative Regina Nyeris said that 1.8 million shillings has been disbursed to various groups and offered bursaries to needy children in the county.
Mrs. Nyeris urged women to register in groups so as to benefit from the fund.
You can also read, 9 women groups benefit from Affirmative Action Fund in Bungoma.
Speaking during the first disbursement of 120,000 shillings to Kalamaywa Disability Group Mrs. Nyeris said that despite the government giving women and youths priority, over 50 percent of them have not been registered in any group thus making it hard for them to get the money and access cheap loans.
“I urge all women and youths to register in groups since they will only benefit from funds such Uwezo Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, Youth fund and the Affirmative Action Fund,” she said.
The monies, she added, are aimed at improving women’s and youths livelihoods noting that only those who will have registered in groups will benefit.
“Joining groups is the way to go for women and youths since no one can achieve development without joining a group since it has more benefits such as they can get products at a subsidized rate and also can access loans which may help them start businesses thus improve their livelihoods,” she added.
She urged women to utilize well the money they have received so as to improve their economic status.
West Pokot representative for people living with disability Wesley Kimosop thanked the government for giving out the money to the needy in the society.
Kimosop said that the group will use the money to buy goats hence sell them when prices goes up.
“We are ready to do business because disability is not inability,” said Kimosop.
He thanked the government for the initiative since the disabled groups were being targeted as they are a forgotten load.
