By Maryann Sambigi
I wish to acknowledge the goodwill by President Uhuru Kenyatta and his Deputy William Ruto on the proposed Sh6 billion worth of funds for women and youth.
Having said so, let me talk about matters close to my heart, concerning the truth about these and many other funds.
Whereas there is seemingly good intention to help our disadvantaged poor, there has been little positive impact on the ground. Having worked in community development (specifically the empowerment program), it is good to appreciate the reality on the ground for us to do things right once and for all.
The amount in question is too significant to put at risk and in order for it to help the multitudes, we need to do things right.
First is to appreciate that the targeted lot of women and youth have a variety of needs and not just money. Much as they require jobs and money to start businesses, truth is that priority lies in giving them skills to empower them in any of these areas.
I have seen women who have taken loans just because they are available, only for them to take the money to their husbands to “manage it” for the family. The money is then put to other use and the aftermath is default in repayment.
Youth have been put in groups and asked to do business plans and apply for loans while the truth is that many of these groups are only in existence for such a transaction — there is no cohesion among members and once members get this money they split and squander it.
Result? No repayment of the loans. Of course a few have rightfully benefitted and even conducted their groups well. But are they in the majority?
Concentration needs to be more on capacity building of both groups and individuals on issues of group development (leadership, communication, record keeping, constitution making and adherence etc.), Life skills such as self-esteem/confidence, personal goal setting, personal development, gender roles, equality and decision making.
Other areas of capacity building would also be on business management skills to include business ideas, business plans, financial literacy and marketing to mention just a few.
All these trainings help to build and empower the person holistically. From experience, a person who passes through this kind of empowerment even for three months is completely transformed and their way of thinking changes to more constructive engagement.
My suggestion is that government works closely with institutions or organisations that are committed to positive transformation of the poor and other professionals. The funds should be divided into two — that of capacity building and the other to be given to groups that successfully pass through the course, as a seed fund.
This means the money should not be paid back with interest but should act as a revolving fund and accessed by all.
Organisations selected should act as supervisors to ensure quality training (community development projects engage in very practical and participatory learning customised for various people and groups including those challenged by illiteracy).
Government should also focus more on creating local and international Markets for Kenyan products as well as partnerships from around the world. This includes markets from Africa.
Of course all eyes should be on these organisations as we have seen money that was meant for a noble cause go to waste as it is squandered by greedy people whose original mandate was to be stewards of resources meant for the poor and marginalised groups.
Pro-poor
Someone specific under the Ministry should be put in charge and be solely answerable to the government over these funds. Am sure if time is taken to headhunt for someone well versed with this kind of work, it will not be difficult to get one, who will in turn create a team that will be designated and reporting to this person.
In short, let Kenyans see a project well designed, planned, budgeted and implemented. Its Monitoring and Evaluation should be done regularly by qualified persons in order to regulate and make changes in due time.
My last comment may sound unfair but I wish to challenge the relevant authorities to study the current Youth Fund and Women Enterprise Fund and consider the following:
Who and how is it managed? Who exactly has been taking these loans? How much has been taken and repaid? What is the percentage taken, against the level of poverty that is seen in the country? For those who do not take the loans, why is it so?
You will be surprised.
The other day I addressed two unique groups of those classified as poor — the “active poor” (those who have no source of permanent income but somehow make the very basics through casual jobs etc) and the “poorest of the poor” (those with nothing and even a meal a day is only a dream).
Do these funds go anywhere close to these people? No bank or MFI would approach this lot, yet unfortunately, they are the majority!
You will be surprised at what can happen once people, including the poorest, are empowered at the three levels of the Social-Economic-Political (advocacy) pillar. I have seen it and anyone willing to take a closer look at these issues is welcome.
There are several projects around to learn from. Suffice it to say, that we have to do things differently in order to bring real change (transformation) to our people. Let’s reach out to all and engage with the experts from all fields.
If this administration is willing to reach out to people and help in economic growth, then let us help it do the right thing before we start the blame game when things go wrong. We all want to see our shilling grow, so let all be a part of its growth.
The writer is a Program Officer, Economic Empowerment.
