Women and youth funds set for merger in efficiency drive

Kenya: The Government is going to merge three development funds into one main multi-billion revolving fund in an attempt to improve administration and disbursement.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Henry Rotich yesterday revealed that the Youth Enterprise Development (YEDF), Uwezo and Women Enterprise Funds would be collapsed into one.

“In order to sustain the ever-growing demands of our youth, the funds will be rationalised into an efficient and well-capitalised one,” he said.

Youth and women will benefit from the billions of shillings awarded in the 2014/15 Budget.

The money will be used for development projects through the respective funds and the recruitment of 21,870 youth to the National Youth Service (NYS) programmes.

“The YEDF, Women and Uwezo Funds will receive Sh300 million, Sh200 million and Sh300 million respectively. NYS will receive Sh8.1 billion to cater for recruitment of thousands of youth to the service,” said Rotich.

The three development funds have been praised and criticised in equal measure with many stating that they have enabled the youth and women to access affordable credit to start and operate small businesses.

Too little

However, many prospective recipients of the funds have stated that the application processes are lengthy and fraught with bureaucracy making it difficult particularly for those living in rural areas to access them.

Uwezo Fund Chief Executive Wilfred Buyemaal yesterday stated that the money has already been disbursed to the Fund’s management board in all the 210 constituencies where the vetting process of applicants is to be conducted.

Some women leaders were however not pleased with the amount given to them saying it was too little to invest in the current economy.

Leader of the Anti-Female Genital Mutilation Board Linah Jebii Kilimo said women are tasked with so much responsibility yet they are still made to compete equally with the rest in the investment world.

“I wish there was a corresponding law saying investment by women is cheaper, unfortunately we are all in the same market,” said Jebii.

She, however, called on women to take up the money to prove to the Government there is need to increase sums allocated to them.

Elgeyo Marakwet Woman Representative Susan Chebet while appreciating Government’s effort to invest in them, could however not hide her disappointment on the amount.