Vihiga County Government has allocated Ksh 10 million in its supplementary budget to help women start up small businesses in the area. Jackline Mwenesi, a nominated Member of the Vihiga County Assembly, said the house factored in the budget the funds to help women groups in the County.
She said it’s rotational funds and the lowest amount a group can get is Ksh 50,000 to set up a business. “Women must be assisted financially and that’s why as an assembly we had to factor in the supplementary budget a fund that can help them start small businesses that can help them live better lives,” Mwenesi said.
The MCA urged women to form groups and collect the funds noting that its interest rates are very low.
She added that they are ready to work with other non-governmental organizations to work on issues affecting women in the County. “At the moment we are working with National Democratic Institute which has promised to give as funds that will help us work on women issues in the area,” noted Mwenesi.
The MCA said Ksh 1.2 Million has been set aside to buy sanitary towels for less fortunate girls in Primary Schools in the County. “We realized many girls are dropping out of school because they can’t afford sanitary towels and we set aside a small fund to cater for the same,” she said.