Kenya disburses Sh21 billion to youth, women

CS Sicily Kariuki

NAIROBI: The government has so far disbursed Sh21 billion to youth and women across the country. This is according to Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs CS Sicily Kariuki. Disbursements made through Uwezo Fund, Youth Enterprise Fund and Women Enterprise Fund show that youth are leading with Sh10.1 billion. Women Enterprise Fund has so far disbursed Sh7.45 billion while Uwezo Fund Sh4.5 billion. Overall, 351,000 youth and women groups from nine million families have benefited.

Speaking in Malindi town on Wednesday where she gave out cheques worth over Sh2 million to youth and women groups from Kilifi County, Ms Kariuki called on the youth to borrow more money. She said that even though 542 groups had borrowed about Sh37 million in Malindi Constituency, over Sh8 million still remains idle.

To boost the uptake of funds, the CS directed all officers charged with administering the funds to immediately launch an awareness campaign. At the same time, 90 personnel from the National Youth Service launched a youth empowerment programme in Malindi, which will engage close to 1,000 youth.