Port Victoria:Kenyans have been encouraged to utilize government-backed financial programs such as loans and grants to establish and expand businesses, with the aim of creating employment and improving livelihoods.
According to Kenya News Agency, Principal Secretary for Economic Planning, Dr. Bonface Makokha, and Principal Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, Susan Mang’eni, emphasized the importance of engaging in government empowerment programs to achieve economic independence and reduce poverty levels.
During a church service at Neno Evangelism Church in Busia County, Dr. Makokha highlighted the low uptake of the Women Enterprise Fund in several Sub-counties despite the availability of funds aimed at supporting women-led businesses. Bunyala Sub-county, for example, received Sh3 million, but only Sh750,000 was disbursed last month due to a lack of loan applications.
Dr. Makokha also announced the registration of the Brethren Grassroots SACCO, a cooperative that will unite spiritual leaders nationwide to promote savings, investment, and credit access. He urged Members of Parliament to ensure the timely execution of projects funded through the National Government Constituencies Development Fund, with KSh5.1 billion being disbursed monthly for development projects, including improvements in educational infrastructure.
Susan Mang’eni encouraged residents, particularly women, youth, and persons living with disabilities, to enroll in the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) and Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) programs. She noted that the government has reserved 30 percent of public procurement opportunities, equating to approximately KSh300 billion, for these groups. Training for NYOTA and AGPO will be conducted online over ten weeks, and business registration and AGPO certification fees will be waived.
Mang’eni further mentioned the development of a framework to address delayed payments to contractors, allowing eligible businesses to receive payments within 60 days through invoice discounting.
Meanwhile, Budalang’i MP, Raphael Wanjala, urged parents to prioritize local education by enrolling their children in schools within the constituency, and encouraged youth to seek alternative livelihoods through technical training and entrepreneurship, in response to declining fish stocks in Lake Victoria.
