Nyandarua: The Ministry of Gender, Culture and Children Services has disbursed cheques worth Sh. 26.4 million to 60 women groups comprising 640 beneficiaries in Nyandarua County. The funds were disbursed through the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) as part of the government’s efforts to economically empower women across the country.
According to Kenya News Agency, during a Women Empowerment Forum held at Mirangine ward, Olkalou Constituency in Nyandarua County, Principal Secretary for Gender Affairs and Affirmative Action, Ms. Ann Wang’ombe, noted that since the inception of WEF, it has disbursed Sh 28.6 billion in loans to more than 2.29 million women entrepreneurs across the country. The beneficiaries have demonstrated a strong repayment culture with a 95 percent repayment rate.
PS Wang’ombe highlighted that the fund has invested in capacity building, benefiting over 2 million women through entrepreneurship training and financial literacy support. She acknowledged the government-run initiative’s role in empowering women to build businesses, create employment, and support families.
Wang’ombe emphasized the barriers women face, including access to affordable credit and reliable markets, while praising WEF as an effective tool for advancing women’s economic empowerment. She reiterated the government’s commitment to placing women at the center of national development through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
Collaboration with county governments to support enterprise growth through infrastructure development and market facilities was also emphasized. Wang’ombe encouraged women to leverage government initiatives like Access to Government Procurement Opportunities.
WEP Board Director, Wesley Keitany, stated that he oversees the strategic direction of the Fund, ensuring it remains focused on empowering women economically. He urged beneficiaries to become community ambassadors, sharing information and encouraging others to seize available opportunities.
Principal Secretary for Social Protection Joseph Motari, who attended the event, spoke on the government’s commitment to support elderly citizens through a monthly Sh2,000 stipend programme. He encouraged senior citizens to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA) to improve healthcare access and urged public support for the registration drive.
The Forum gathered over 1000 women entrepreneurs from Nyandarua County, alongside government officials, partners, and county leaders. It celebrated WEF’s transformative impact, announced new credit disbursements, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to women’s economic empowerment under BETA. Leaders also campaigned for UDA candidate Muchina Nyaga ahead of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
