By Bradly Nandasaba, MUMIAS EAST, KAKAMEGA.
Residents of Mumias East Sub-County have received a major economic boost after the Kakamega County Government disbursed KSh3 million to 60 community groups under its Social Protection Grants Programme.
The funds target women, youth, persons with disabilities and widows, providing them with capital to strengthen existing enterprises, start new businesses and improve household livelihoods.
The Mumias East allocation is part of a wider KSh60 million countywide programme that will benefit 1,200 groups across all 60 wards of Kakamega County.
Speaking during the programme, Governor Fernandes Barasa said the initiative was designed to ensure vulnerable residents have access to opportunities that can improve their economic wellbeing.
“We are committed to empowering our people at the grassroots because sustainable development must begin with the communities,” Barasa said.
The Governor said the county government was deliberately focusing on organised groups because they provide an effective platform through which residents can pool resources, invest and create sustainable sources of income.
Barasa added that women, youth, persons with disabilities and widows remain an important part of Kakamega’s economic transformation agenda.
“This programme is about giving our people the capital they need to grow their enterprises, create jobs and build more secure livelihoods,” he said.
Photo|Governor Fernandes Barasa addressing Mumias East residents.
The KSh3 million disbursed to Mumias East translates to an average of KSh50,000 per group, although individual allocations may vary depending on the programme’s criteria.
The county government said the grants are intended to complement other development initiatives by helping residents participate directly in income-generating activities.
Beneficiary groups are expected to invest the funds in viable enterprises and projects capable of generating income and supporting members over the long term.Barasa further urged beneficiaries to use the funds prudently and ensure that the grants achieve their intended purpose.
“We expect every group to use these resources responsibly so that the support can have a lasting impact on families and communities,” he said.
The countywide programme will see groups from all 60 wards benefit, making it one of the county’s broader grassroots economic empowerment initiatives.
For Mumias East beneficiaries, the disbursement provides fresh capital at a time when access to affordable financing remains a major challenge for many small-scale entrepreneurs.The county administration says the programme is ultimately aimed at strengthening household incomes, supporting entrepreneurship and ensuring that vulnerable groups are not left behind in Kakamega’s development agenda.