Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago on Thursday presided over the issuance of loans worth Ksh17.2 million from the Women Enterprise Fund to 65 women groups across Uasin Gishu County.
Speaking during the event held at the County Headquarters, Mandago affirmed his administration’s commitment to continue supporting women groups and the cooperative movement in the county.
He challenged the beneficiaries to invest wisely so that they can repay their loans on time with ease and retain their profits and capital.
“We want these groups in the future to leave patches of development all over the county and as a Government, we assure you of our support in training and other necessary help,” Mandago said.
Over 600 women benefited from the funds and the governor is now asking the women groups to focus on growing into a cooperative.
Mandago, speaking during the event pointed out that cooperatives run by women in Uasin Gishu were performing better compared to those dominated by men
Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) is a Semi-Autonomous Government Agency in the Ministry of Public Service, Youth and Gender Affairs established in August 2007 to provide accessible and affordable credit to support women start and/or expand business for wealth and employment creation (WEF, 2007).
The County Government of Uasin Gishu has also been issuing loans to cooperatives at a 5 percent interest rate.
