Machakos county has been a huge beneficiary of allocations from the Uwezo Fund since its inception.
Uwezo Fund national director Sam Ogolla on Friday said the county has received Sh185.2 million since its inception.
“It has been disbursed to 2,389 groups and institutions, benefiting 1,952 women groups, 379 youth groups and 58 groups of persons with disabilities,” he said.
Ogolla spoke when he presided over the disbursement of Sh2.4 million from Uwezo Fund in Mavoko, Machakos county.
The director said national statistics on the fund’s repayment were worrying.
He said Uwezo Fund's countrywide repayment rate was 52 per cent.
Forty-eight per cent failed to pay back Sh1.5 billion of the money advanced to them in loan form.
“Misinformation from certain politicians to legislators that the fund is free government money is the biggest challenge that caused many self-help groups to fail to repay back their loans,” Ogolla said.
He issued cheques to beneficiaries of the fund in Mavoko constituency.
Twenty groups received the fund during the ceremony conducted at Athi River deputy county commissioner’s office premises.
Out of the 20 groups, 18 are newly registered. They received Sh1.8 million.
The two other groups are refinanced groups and received Sh600,000.
Ogolla said the disbursed funds will be channelled into service and trade sectors.
He said 15 groups had focused on service and five others on trade industry, a reaffirmation of the fund's commitment to fostering growth and development at the grassroots level.
He praised Machakos county's high absorption rate of the fund, which stands at 113.38 per cent, terming it a clear indication of efficient utilisation of the fund.
Ogolla urged women, youths and PWDs who have never joined any group to do so to help them benefit from funds issued by the government through several platforms, such as Uwezo Fund.
He urged groups that had benefited to repay their loans and qualify for higher amounts, which will enable them to sustain their businesses long-term.
The Uwezo Fund was launched by President Uhuru Kenyatta in 2013.
It is a flagship programme for Vision 2030 aimed at enabling women, youth and persons living with disabilities to access finances to promote businesses and enterprises at the constituency level.
It is, therefore, a venture for fostering enterprises, creating employment and growing the economy.