Woman Representative Reginalda Wanyonyi urges women to apply for loans

Woman Representative Reginalda Wanyonyi has advised women not to shy away from applying for loans if they want to uplift their economic status.

Speaking at Makuba PAG church in Webuye, Dr Wanyonyi asked women to form groups to make it easy to get loans from financial institutions and Saccos.

“Majority of women in Bungoma county fear taking loans from banks and Saccos due to ignorance. Let the county provide platforms so that they can be educated on profitable projects,” said Ms Wanyonyi.

She said women have a chance to borrow money from Uwezo funds, which they can  later service after investing in profitable businesses or projects.

“This is the only way we can kick out poverty from our midst. You can’t continue suffering when the Government has provided an opportunity to better your life,” she advised.

She noted that women in other counties who have invested in Saccos are leading a better life compared to those in Bungoma.

RISK TAKING

“It’s only in Bungoma County that women and the youth fear taking loans. The rich people you see around you are wealthy because they took risks,” she said.

At the same time, the MP distanced herself from the sentiments that the Bungoma County Women Sacco (Bucowo), of which she is patron, was conning members.

“I formed and registered Bucowo so that we can invest in profitable projects. I want to assure members that your money is intact and nobody has touched it. Those peddling embezzlement rumours are out to distract us from our main goal,” said the woman rep.

She said Bucowo Sacco is not a political outfit and called on her detractors to stop maligning her ventures, and instead support her in fighting poverty in the county.

Meanwhile, two people died under mysterious circumstances, while six family members are receiving medication at a local hospital after consuming allegedly poisoned rice.

In the first incident, a 20-year-man’s lifeless body was found dangling inside his hut at Sitabicha village in Webuye West constituency. A village elder, Victor Ochunge, said the young man only identified as Wafula committed suicide due to unknown reason.

And in Eluhya village, Tongaren constituency, a 21-year-man died while six family members were hospitalised after taking poisoned food.

A family member said they bought the rice at a local shopping centre. After eating it, they started feeling nausea followed by vomiting.