Isiolo women get Sh7m to boost small businesses

Garbatulla women receive Sh3m to expand their small businesses. [Phares Mutembei, Standard]

A total of 252 women from the Kinna and Garbatullah Community Conservancies in Isiolo have benefited from a Sh7 million kitty courtesy of the Women’s Microcredit Enterprise Fund. 

The kitty was disbursed by Rangelands Sacco with the support of Agence Française de Development (AFD) and Northern Rangelands Trust (NRT). 

The women from the marginalised and undeserved communities said they will use the money to expand their shops, grocery stores, butcheries, livestock and farms.  

Each of the 252 women got Sh25,000 after undergoing training on entrepreneurship, financial literacy, developing business plans, proper record keeping, and managing savings and investments. 

The beneficiaries were drawn from Barambate, Machine, Kulamawe, Duse, Rapsu, Kinna North and South, Malkadaka, Gafarsa, Muchuro, Kombola, Boji, and Garba Tulla, all financially marginalised areas. 

“This is a major step forward for me and other women, especially when it comes to savings. In the past, I would save Sh50 per day for one or two months, but it was easy to spend that money because it was so accessible. Now, by saving with Rangelands SACCO, my money will be in my account, which will help me develop financial discipline. I can use these savings for emergencies and to pay for school fees,” said Hawo Kuno, a beneficiary from the Boji area. 

According to a baseline survey conducted by MashinaniWORKS in 2021 in 25 community conservancies across Isiolo, Laikipia, Marsabit, Samburu, Lamu, and Tana River counties, community members had limited financial literacy, particularly in areas such as savings and alternative investments. 

Hadija Mohamed, 21, a mother of one, is a mama mboga who plans to use the loan to expand her business and add stock, which she has been doing fairly well since she completed Class 8 after facing financial constraints that hindered her from continuing her education.

East Women Caucus chairperson Mariam Hukka stated, “When you empower a woman, you empower the entire nation.”

Ms Hukka said the microfinance initiative will “uplift these women.”

She said, “For those who do not yet have businesses, this fund will play an important role, and for the many with existing ones, they will be more equipped to expand.”

Ibrahim Boru, the manager of the Garbatulla Conservancy, stated, “We have been seeking a women's empowerment initiative for a long time, and I’m glad it’s finally here. The lack of financial support has long hindered economic and household progress, but with this fund, we will see a positive impact not only on families but also at the community level.” 

As the women celebrated their financial freedom, a 2024 impact survey showed that enterprises supported through the Rangeland SACCO inject Sh1.6 billion annually into local economies, driven by increased sales, business expansion, and reinvestment.

During its Annual Delegates Meeting, the SACCO reported strong growth and distributed dividends worth Sh2.6 million, a 57.6 percent increase from the Sh1.65 million disbursed.