Eighty three groups from all wards in Kirinyaga Central constituency are set to empower themselves thanks to Sh9 million from Uwezo Fund.
The fund will help the beneficiaries initiate income generating projects that will create employment for them .
Speaking on Tuesday at the Constituency Development Fund offices in Kerugoya after the disbursement of the funds, MP Munene Wambugu lauded the national government for establishing the kitty.
The lawmaker further said that, despite heightened political activities, development projects must proceed.
Wambugu said he will draft a bill to increase the funds to meet the number of the increasing groups in the constituency.
“This funds are still not enough despite the positive impacts on beneficiaries. The number of groups has increased and I hope in the next Parliament I will fight for the fund to be increased,” he said.
He further said the interest rates for the youths’ funds should be reduced because it is meant for self-development.
“The interest rates should be lowered especially in youth’s funds because they are government money meant of development of our children and they will repay,’ The MP said.
The legislator told the beneficiaries that Uwezo Fund is a soft loan and does not attract any interest and the groups are given a duration of two years to repay the same amount.
Since its a revolving fund, once repayment is done, the money is loaned out to another needy group.
All the beneficiaries urged the government to increase the allocation.
Lucy Njogu, a beneficiary, said the fund has been of great help and said more money should be pumped into the kitty to ensure more groups are brought on board.
(edited by Amol Awuor)
