Council of Parastatal Chairpersons launches women empowerment program in Nyanza

Kemsa Chairman Irungu Nyakera. [Boniface Gikandi, Standard]

The Council of Parastatal Chairpersons has launched a program targeting to empower women across the Nyanza region.

Women will be able to access funds for their businesses from various government agencies under the initiative.

The Council is made up of the chairmen of all parastatals in the country. Kenya Medical Supplies Agency (KEMSA) chairman Irungu Nyakera is the current Council chairman with Odoyo Owidi from the Lake Victoria South Water Works Development Agency serving as the chief whip.

Others are Rashid Echesa from Kenya Water Towers (Treasurer) and Winfrida Ngumi from KeNHA (Secretary).

The team was in Kaspul constituency on Saturday where they contributed Sh1 million and distributed the money to three women groups namely; Achievers, Winners and Champions as a grant.

In the event which took place at Sikri School for the Deaf, Nyakera told the women to utilize the funds prudently to transform their lives.

"This money has been contributed by the council members to empower these women. I urge them to utilize the money prudently to transform their lives," Nyakera said.

He said the government was ready to change the lives of residents through development projects.

"What the government does in implementing development projects deserves appreciation, not just criticism as some politicians do," he added.

Owidi told Homa Bay residents to shun political leaders who taint the image of the government saying the government had many financial opportunities through which the women can borrow funds to invest in their businesses.

He cited the Hustler Fund and Uwezo Fund among others which he said can transform the lives of residents.

"The government has many financial institutions from which our women can borrow funds and do businesses. I want residents of Nyanza to ignore politicians who peddle malicious rumour that the government has no development programmes for improving their lives," Owidi said.

He said the sensitization is aimed at improving the lives of residents. "It is imperative to create awareness so that our people can know the sources of funds available for doing business," Owidi said.

Echesa promised to provide women groups in Kasipul with one million polybags for planting seedlings. He said the seedlings would be bought by the government at good prices upon attaining the transplanting stage.

"My parastatal is going to empower women groups in Kasipul Constituency with the polybags so that they can plant seedlings which we will buy at better prices," Echesa said.

Owino urged Nyanza residents to work with President Ruto's government. "There is no other government we are waiting for as a community. This government is ready to serve the people of Nyanza hence everybody we should support it wholeheartedly," Owino said.