The national government is training women from four Nyanza counties as they venture into businesses.
Women from Kisumu, Siaya, Homa Bay and Migori counties have been trained in financial management and entrepreneurship.
More than 4,000 women from the counties have also been trained in how they can start, operate businesses and access loans from government lending institutions.
ICT Cabinet Secretary Eliud Owalo, who is spearheading the initiative, said their assessment revealed many women from the four counties in Nyanza have not been aware of economic empowerment opportunities offered by the government.
He said a few who know about some programmes do not know where to seek help and benefit.
“The national government started this initiative to empower women with skills and knowledge for venturing into business. It’s the only way to fight the vicious circle of poverty in our midst,” Owalo said.
Speaking during a registered women’s training meeting at a hotel in Rangwe constituency on Saturday, Owalo said the programme is in line with President William Ruto’s economic agenda to empower Kenyans at the grassroots.
Some of the available government funding the women can get is from the Women’s Enterprise Fund, the Uwezo Fund and the Hustler Fund.
During the meeting, the women interacted with technical officers from different government agencies who told them about economic empowerment and funding of their businesses and other development initiatives.
The CS said a similar information and training was previously held in Kisumu, Siaya and Migori counties.
He said the good turnout means the women are ready to venture into business.
“We’re encouraging the women in their groups to form cooperatives so that they can easily access loans. The groups will be linked to various empowerment agencies,” he said.
Owalo described the programme as a game changer for women on grounds that the women are involved in gainful activities to improve their living standards.
According to the CS, the government wants the Nyanza women to get busy and do away with situations where politicians use women as a source of entertainment.
“They should henceforth generate their own money and be able to make wise decisions during election,” the CS said.
Owalo was accompanied by heads of parastatals including Martin Ogindo (chairman Kenya Fish Marketing Authority) and Odoyo Owidi (chairman, Lake Victoria South Water WorksDevelopment Authority).
Also present were Jack Ranguma (chairman SASRA), Charles Owino (chairman, Kenya Institute of Mass Communication) and Siaya UDA coordinator Oyugi Dor, among others.
Owidi asked politicians from the region to put their energy into empowerment and development.
He said youths and other groups will also have an opportunity to benefit from the same programme.
“The Kenya Kwanza government has a plan to address challenges faced by Nyanza residents,” Owidi said.
Dor said the region is still burdened with poverty and one of the ways residents can fight off poverty is to take government loans and grants for business.
He said the launch of the programme marks the beginning of economic transformation in the region.
“Many women have potential to start and grow businesses. The trainings and support are just impetus for them to realise such dreams because they will be able to access funds,” Dor said.
