Training empowers 355 Homa Bay PWDs to run profitable businesses

More than 355 Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) in Homa Bay are now expected to operate their businesses smoothly after completing the required training.

The PWDs, who were already engaged in various entrepreneurial ventures, were trained on financial management, record keeping, and customer communication.

The 10-month training was implemented by Light For The World (LFTW) in partnership with United Disabled Persons of Kenya (UDPK), Sense International, and Humanity & Inclusion under the initiative dubbed InBusiness Programme.

LFTW Head of Programmes Lucy Murage said the project was initiated after realizing that people with disabilities were facing numerous challenges, including a lack of business skills, market linkages, and financial support.

She said the programme aimed to address the gaps that many PWDs faced in running their businesses. Some participants received grants of up to Sh40,000 to start or expand their enterprises.

“The capacity building was meant to enhance their ability to overcome challenges that PWDs face when doing business. We also focused on how to fight discrimination associated with disability,” Murage said.

Speaking during the closing workshop of the programme in Homa Bay Town, Murage noted that the project had recorded positive results. Some business operators can now make up to Sh50,000 in monthly profits compared to less than Sh10,000 before the training.

LFTW’s impact evaluation also showed that business skills and knowledge among PWDs in Homa Bay increased from 10 percent to 80 percent.

Accompanied by Homa Bay Disability Forum Secretary Jacob Omoro, Murage said the programme’s sustainability is assured since participants have acquired adequate skills to start and manage businesses of their choice.

According to her, the group now understands how to advocate for their rights and seek market opportunities, with the Homa Bay County Government committing to support them.

“The model for the InBusiness Programme was designed to address the gaps that people with disabilities face. PWD organizations, micro-entrepreneurs, and government partnerships will ensure sustainability,” she said.

Omoro noted that the programme has promoted self-reliance among PWDs in Homa Bay, reducing the dependency and begging culture often associated with disability.

“Most PWDs in Homa Bay are now able to support their families and educate their children,” he said.

He added that some trained beneficiaries have been identified to train youths under the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme launched by the Kenya Kwanza government.

“The programme has proved that disability is not inability. Most PWDs who have been trained are now able to start and operate their businesses without difficulties,” Omoro said.

Beneficiaries Caleb Ouko, Lorine Otieno, and Ramjius Radila said they have since ventured into more profitable businesses after the training.

Ouko, who now supplies Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL) with sorghum, said the initiative had transformed his farming venture.

“I do large-scale sorghum production and I make good profits. I thank Light For The World for the capacity building,” he said.

Other beneficiaries are engaged in carpentry, poultry keeping, tailoring, and shopkeeping, all testaments to the growing economic independence of PWDs in