Women, youths and PWDs benefit from Sh50 million grant

Governor Fernandes Barasa (centre) presents a dummy cheque of KSh50m to Sports CEC Mophat Mandela (right) on July 24, 2024. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

Women, youths and persons living with disabilities (PWDs) in Kakamega county have benefited from Sh50 million social protection grant.

Speaking during the launch of the initiative targeting at least 900 groups at Musoli Girls, Ikolomani constituency, on Monday, Governor Fernandes Barasa said beneficiaries who are organised in groups will receive Sh50,000 per chama.

Groups were selected through criteria designed to identify an equal number of beneficiary groups from across the 60 wards in the county.

"We have picked 15 groups from every ward and they will each receive Sh50,000 to start or enhance their economic activities. Grants were issued to two groups of PWDs, four youth groups, and nine women groups in each ward," said Barasa.

"It is important to note that although you are not required to repay this money, you will be accountable for its expenditure. The grant is conditional and can only be utilised on development projects proposed at the time of applying for it," said Barasa.

"I direct the CEC Member for Social Services, Sports, Youth, Gender and Culture, together with his team to conduct thorough monitoring for these funds so that the intended beneficiaries gain from the allocation, my goal is to transform the lives of our people so that they lead more decent lives," he said.

The governor directed ministries to ensure that business opportunities for the youth and women are secured.

"I am glad to state that last year we gave more than 30 per cent of procurement opportunities to youth and women, as a government we are experiencing serious cash flow challenges but we are committed to serving our people including supporting vulnerable groups," he said.

Barasa said the county is now in phase 7 of the shelter improvement programme. In the last year, the county built 360 low-cost houses mainly for the elderly, widows, and vulnerable poor families.

"We have provided water harvesting systems and within this quarter, my government will construct 180 houses, at least three in every ward. The remaining beneficiaries shall be supported in subsequent quarters," he said.

"My government has also ensured the 3,000 youth and women recruited under the 'Kazi Mashinani' are receiving their stipend on time and all the beneficiaries of the programme access NHIF services which we pay on time to ensure that our people do not suffer because of financial constraints when their immediate family members get ill," he added.

Governor Barasa said his administration has, this year set aside Sh30 million to buy assistive devices for persons with disabilities.

In the financial year 2023/2024, the county government constructed three houses in each of the 60 wards, and distributed 180 blankets and an equal number of mattresses in each ward on top of a water harvesting system per house under the program dubbed shelter improvement.

The programme was implemented to the tune of Sh35 million in a quest to improve the social economic status of the elderly and vulnerable families across the county.