Day: September 24, 2024

The Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife has unveiled a new tree planting campaign requiring every tourist visiting Kenya to plant at least one tree in an effort to position the country as a sustainable tourism destination while contributing to environmental conservation.

The drive dubbed, ‘One Tourist, One Tree’ targets both domestic and foreign visitors encouraging them to participate in tree-planting activities at various tourist sites across the country.

This effort also supports the government’s ambitious goal of growing 15 billion tree seedlings by 2032, a move geared towards enhancing Kenya’s forest cover and combating climate change.

State Department for Tourism Principal Secretary John Ololtuaa while speaking at the campaign launch at Kajulu Forest in Kisumu County, emphasised the need to conserve natural ecosystems to protect wildlife habitats and address climate change.

‘While the tourism sector contributes 10% to Kenya’s GDP, it also accounts for about 8% of greenhouse gas emissions. With global
tourist numbers expected to reach 1.8 billion by 2030, it is essential to adopt sustainable practices to protect the natural and cultural resources that attract visitors,’ said Ololtuaa.

He urged stakeholders in the tourism industry including hotels, tour operators, community based organisations, and travelers to fully support the initiative.

‘The Ministry is committed to the government’s reforestation agenda. This campaign calls on every visitor to contribute to Kenya’s sustainability by planting a tree, offsetting their carbon footprint while enjoying the beauty of our country,’ Ololtuaa added.

The ‘One Tourist, One Tree’ campaign was unveiled as Kisumu County hosts Kenya Tourism Week, culminating in the 2024 World Tourism Day celebrations on Friday, September 27.

Kisumu County Executive Committee Member for Tourism, Trade, and Marketing, Farida Salim, highlighted the county’s commitment to environmental conservation as a key focus of tourism development.

She noted that the campaign being implemented i
n collaboration with local communities, would help them transition to clean energy solutions, reducing dependence on charcoal and tree cutting that has degraded areas like Kajulu Hills.

‘Kajulu Forest, with its rich biodiversity and indigenous trees, is set to become a key eco-tourism destination in the Western Tourism Circuit,’ Salim stated.

Kenya Tourism Board CEO June Chepkemei commended the tree-planting initiative, emphasising its role in promoting sustainable tourism.

‘Kenya’s main attraction lies in its natural beauty and diverse wildlife. By integrating sustainability into our tourism strategy, we not only attract conscientious travelers but also preserve our natural heritage for future generations,’ she said.

The initiative underscores Kenya’s commitment to sustainable tourism, offering visitors an opportunity to contribute to the country’s reforestation efforts while enjoying its scenic landscapes and diverse wildlife.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Murang’a south child Advisory Committee (CAC) has been trained on the care reforms strategy in line with the Children’s Act 2022.

The participants who included key stakeholders in the children department like the probation, the NGAO, the police, the civil registrar and other non-governmental organization partners were introduced to elements of care reforms including the push towards family and community-based care for children.

Speaking during the training in Kenol, Assistant County Commissioner who is also the chairperson of the CAC, Alex Wainaina observed that stakeholders have to collaborate to provide and strengthen alternative family based care.

Further, he stressed on the need to strengthen families and prevent separation for the well- being of children who are bound to suffer the most incase families separate.

‘From our statistics, everyday 15 children from this region get neglected by their parents or caregivers and that is where we must collaborate to support the reintegration of children fr
om children’s homes to families and the transitioning of children’s homes to support family based care’.

The ACC called on the community to embrace alternative care placement which is being recommended in place of charitable children institutions (CCI).

‘We are calling on the community to support us in getting foster care whereby we recommend having two willing and committed fosters parents in each location so that we can ensure our children grow up in a family setup and receive all the care and basic needs before being reintegrated back,’ he noted

Susan Wambui, the Subcounty Children’s officer urged the committee members to ensure they carry their roles as gatekeepers as embedded in the broader child protection system.

She noted that gatekeeping includes the policies, systematic procedures, services and decision making which ensures that alternative care for children is used only when absolutely necessary and that children receive the most suitable support to meet their unique individual needs thereby up
holding the best interests of the child.

‘As duty bearers we need to be careful as we handle alternative family care because the safety of the child is paramount,’ noted Ms Wambui.

Care reforms are meant to increase high quality and accessible tracing, reintegration, case management leaving care and aftercare services to support transition to family and community-based care.

‘Foster care is voluntary willingness and other family members should agree to provide, care and maintenance for the child and we must know that it takes a village to raise a child,’ she said.

Years of evidence show that separating children from their families seriously harms their health and development and as such families are better for a child’s health thus the need for Alternative care and care reforms as enshrined in the children’s act 2022.

Although the National Foster care day is normally celebrated annually every first Tuesday of May, Muranga County plans to celebrate it on October 15, being the first ever celebrated, to ser
ve as a launch of the day after which it will be celebrated as in other parts of the world.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The Kenya Fisheries Service and security officials in Homa Bay county have destroyed illegal fishing nets valued at Sh 4 million.

County Commissioner Moses Lilan said the nets were confiscated during routine crackdowns at various beaches in Lake Victoria.

He said the destruction of the illegal gear was done after they obtained a court order.

KFS Deputy director in charge of Western region Christine Etiegni said that bad fishing methods have resulted in decline of fish population in Lake Victoria.

She said KFS was undertaking the enforcement to conserve, manage and develop the fisheries resources.

‘We will intensify crackdowns to eradicate the use of unauthorised nets which promote unsustainable fishing in Lake Victoria,’ Etiegni said.

Speaking during destruction of the nets at Homa Bay police station in Homa Bay town, Etiegni said they are collaborating with Beach Management Units (BMU) officials to ensure sanity prevails in the lake.

She said that they were also involving fisher folk in sensitisation
around the lake to promote lawful fishing activities.

Etiegni said apart from illegal fishing gear, encroachment of breeding grounds and unlicensed fishing were also a menace afflicting the industry.

She said beaches in Suba North, Karachuonyo and Suba South constituencies are the most affected by bad fishing practices.

‘Many people depend on fishing for their livelihoods and that is why we are focused on promoting sustainable exploitation of the lake,’ she said.

The County Commissioner said restoring sanity in the lake also includes the fight against drugs peddling in the waters.

He cautioned fishermen against falling prey to some unscrupulous people who solicit funds from them in pretext of providing security.

Lilan said they have mapped out beaches which are prone to illegal fishing activities.

He said bad fishing practices have led to extinction of some fish species.

The administrator urged fishermen to register their boats and obtain licenses before January next year.

‘We have laws that govern f
ishing practices in Lake Victoria and those who violate them must be apprehended. People who peddle drugs and promote child labour in the lake are equally criminals and must be dealt with,’ Lilan said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Nakuru County Government has rolled out a campaign to encourage farmers to shift to organic agricultural system which focuses on achieving maximum yields, and simultaneously enhance biodiversity and sustains soil fertility.

According to the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries Leonard Bor, Kenya needs an urgent and comprehensive transfer to agroecology across the entire food system with particular emphasis on the integration of agroecology in the policies, strategies and action plans.

While noting that going organic is the most sustainable way of farming because it entails improving the soils using the resources that the farmer has, Mr Bor added that the crops produced by organic fertilisers are healthy for human and animal consumption, and user friendly to the ecosystem.

The CECM made the remarks during a meeting with officials of Cereal Growers Association (CGA) and Farm to Market Association (FTMA) that explored ways to integrate the youth into agriculture using digital marketing platforms.

‘Going organic will address issues revolving around climate change that negatively impact agriculture and lead to production of chemical-free foods. Organic manure increases soil fertility and productivity level. It also adds soil organic matter, improves soil structure and preserves essential nutrients required for crop growth. This farming method helps in maintaining soil fertility and is resilient to climate change,’ Mr Bor said.

He explained that going organic means using what is called a closed loop system where all the food produced can be recycled, meaning by products and waste can revert to the soil as manure.

Bor added that through feeding of livestock the farmers can also produce manure by converting the family manure into ‘Boma composting.

Boma compost, the CECM elaborated, is manure that has more carbon materials or carbon resources than nitrogen so a farmer doesn’t need to pump in a lot of nitrogen in the soil.

Mr Bor however indicated that going organic does not happen overnight as it takes about six years to fully transition from conventional to organic farming.

‘It is a process which entails reducing to stopping the use of conventional inputs and adopting the organics. One will have to use a lot of organic matter, pump it into the soil as they reduce chemical fertilisers,’ said Bor.

Kenyan soils, he said, are acidic and that is why food production has been declining.

‘I am not saying that soil that has higher acidity levels is totally bad because there are some crops that like that kind of soil, but majority of crops do not like 4.0 pH and below acidic levels thus reviving the soils is going organic,’ he said.

According to Mr Bor, any cured manure has the elements that are needed by the plant, because one feeds the soil and the soil feeds the plant as opposed to applying chemical fertilisers in the soil which feeds the plant and destroys the soil.

He quoted data from FAO, which indicates that more than 750 million people globally are affected by food insecurity, a clear indicator of failure of agriculture.

‘Agroecology for me is a paradigm shift where we are looking at how to reinvent our agricultural activities so that we align ourselves with nature rather than working against it,’ Bor said.

He added: ‘Today, the country is talking about the cost of fertiliser and despite the government subsidising and re-subsidising, it is still not affordable. In agroecology we are talking about access to seeds that are productive, that are viable, that are climate resilient.’

Agriculture is one of the biggest sectors in the country, generating over 20 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and a major source of employment in both the formal and informal sectors in Kenya.

However, the raging debate on the use of inorganic and organic fertilisers has been one of the greatest contentious talks and a cause of concern among Kenyan farmers.

The large-scale farmers have continued to prefer the use of inorganic fertilisers, while their compatriots, the small-scale farmers, have heavily relied on organic fertilisers.

Even though the preference of usage between inorganic and organic fertilisers among small and large-scale farmers is wide, each has its own merits and limitations.

Large-scale farmers have always quoted the ‘labour intensive’ as one of the major reasons for inorganic fertiliser usage.

However, according to Mr Bor the labour-intensive term used by large-scale farmers, is a scapegoat for the non-commitment to conserving the environment.

He noted that the use of inorganic fertiliser leads to quick yields, but farmers always focus on the advantage, forgetting that it increases the acidity of the soil, reduces soil fertility, and leads to the consumption of harmful chemicals by human beings.

The CECM stated that the usage of organic fertiliser can be by both large and small-scale farmers.

He affirmed that although the usage of organic fertiliser has a slower rate of crop maturity, the benefits are enormous.

Mr Bor acknowledged that organic fertiliser helps to treat soil fertility by rectifying soil pH and soil molecular structures.

Source: Kenya News Agency

A funeral service for the Endarasha Hillside Academy fire victims that was scheduled for Wednesday this week will now take place a day later(Thursday).

Acting Central Regional Commissioner, Pius Murugu told KNA the changes have been arrived at after consultation with the bereaved families who found it necessary to shift the dates due to logistical issues.

Murugu has however said the time and other programs for the service remain unchanged.

‘We have decided to move the date for the funeral service from Wednesday to Thursday due to some logistical issues which we have discussed and agreed upon with the parents of the deceased. Our Thursday program will nevertheless run as planned from 8.30 am to 11 am to allow families time to go and proceed with other funeral rites in their respective homes,’ he has confirmed.

Speaking on Friday last week after meeting with the representatives of the parents of the victims and members of the Hillside Academy Fire Disaster Management Committee, Murugu had announced that fu
nerals for the victims will take place immediately after the memorial service.

The interdenominational service will be held at the Mweiga Stadium in Kieni East sub county.

It was also agreed that families that will not be able to conduct burial on that day due to distance or time constraints would have the option of preserving the remains of their kin at the Naro Moru funeral home.

‘We have agreed that the majority of parents will be able to bury the victims on the same day. That is why we have reduced the length of the service. By 11 am we should have finished with the memorial so that we can release the bodies to the respective parents and relatives,’ said Murugu.

‘By yesterday, we were able to know which families will be able to bury their kin on Thursday.The clergy have reduced time so that the families can reach home in time to bury the people the same day,’ he added.

On his part, Nyeri governor Mutahi Kahiga who doubles up as the co-chair of the committee, said that modalities of how the school wil
l be re-opened will start immediately after all the 21 victims have been buried.

Kahiga said that the committee would also expedite the school’s re-opening to give ample time to Grade 6 learners to prepare for the Kenya Primary School Education Assessment (KEPSEA)

Kahiga noted that in addition to footing all burial and medical expenses, the government had pledged to facilitate learners whose personal effects and school supplies that were destroyed in the fire purchase new ones.

‘We have the other phase of about 143 pupils who must be resettled. The school also has to get off the ground. That is going to be the second phase when we finish with this phase so that we are able to take care of the Grade 6 learners who are doing the KPSEA so that they don’t get their school life interrupted,’ said the county boss.

Last week Chief Government Pathologist Johansen Odour said they had managed to match the DNA samples obtained from the bodies of the victims with those of their parents.

‘We have the pleasure to anno
unce that we have received DNA results of the 21 victims of the fire which took place at Endarasha Hillside Academy. From the results we have, it indicates that the students are children of the parents who match with all of the 21,’ said Dr Oduor during a press briefing outside the hospital on Wednesday afternoon.

Dr Oduor also informed journalists that the process of contacting the bereaved parents for the purposes of handing over the remains had started.

He said that the process was being undertaken by officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations together with the Kenya Red Cross.

‘We are now in the process of contacting the relatives. We have a team made of DCI and Red Cross so that we can have them come over and unite them with their loved ones as we are preparing for the next process of assisting them in how they are going to bury them,’ he said.

The school has a total of 824 pupils.

The number of boarders in the school at the time was 330 pupils with 166 of them being girls.

The rest o
f the school’s population are day scholars.

Out of the 164 pupils who were sleeping in the dormitory on that fateful September 5 night,19 perished while two others died while receiving specialized treatment in hospital.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Siaya skating club has received a Sh 500,000 sponsorship after winning the Tujiamini award organised by the Sportpesa Foundation.

According to Sportpesa foundation’s official, Debra Chepkirui Maina, the sponsorship will enable the Bondo based club acquire new training gears and other inputs to develop the sport in the area.

Speaking during the handing over of the sponsorship package at the club’s training venue in Bondo town, Chepkirui hailed the club for nurturing young talents in the rural area.

‘One thing that stands out is that the club is nurturing talent at very young age, talents that will in future raise the Kenyan flag high in international competitions’ she said adding, ‘we recognise that we have many community sporting clubs in the country, growing and nurturing talents in diverse sporting disciplines and who don’t often get a chance in the limelight. Our objective is therefore to encourage and reward such clubs not to give up but continue impacting lives positively through sports.’

The club director, Dorcas Awuor hailed Sportpesa for the sponsorship, adding that since its inception in 2021, the club members have been forced to improvise whenever participating in events.

She said that skating equipment was too expensive for the ordinary sportsman, giving an example of the cheapest skate shoe which, she added, retails at an average of Sh50,000/- a pair.

‘What we are currently using are imitations that most of the children cannot afford’ said Awuor adding that with the sponsorship, the club will acquire a few quality pairs and skating suits to enable it compete effectively in national and international competitions.

The director said they are determined to demystify the myth that skating was a high-end, urban sport, adding that for the last four years, local children have proved that they can do better.

‘We are currently in position two nationally’ she said adding that Siaya skating club was poised to participate in the forthcoming East Africa games scheduled for Arusha, Tanzania later this year.

Source: Kenya News Agency

More than 180 photos depicting gender stereotypes, daily challenges and aspirations in Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique were exhibited following an intensive training to young women in photography.

At least 30 girls from the three countries are among the beneficiaries of the programme rolled out by the European Union and implemented by We-World and various partners, under the Kujenga Amani programme.

The programme as per the We World, Kenya Communication Officer Fred Christopher Odera is aimed at promoting peace and challenging gender stereotypes in the respective communities.

Odera said the project dubbed Photovoice was conducted in the framework of Kujenga Amani Pamoja in the three counties to speak up and provide restitution within the targeted communities.

He said that the 30 ladies will be empowered into becoming peace builders and agents of positive change within their communities and help craft a more inclusive and peaceful society.

The initiative comes at a time when the power of visual storytelling is increasingly recognized as a potent tool for social change.

The training was conducted between February and May this year and comprises girls aged 18- 35 years old.

It covered various aspects of photography, including technical skills, storytelling techniques, and ethical considerations in documenting sensitive issues.

The conflict sensitivity was integrated into every phase of the project informed by a deep understanding of the conflict and peace dynamics specific to the targeted communities.

Through the programme, participants were encouraged to capture and highlight stories that promote peace, unity, and resilience within their communities.

Odera said the photographs produced by the young women were showcased in local exhibitions and online platforms, providing them with an opportunity to share their unique perspectives with a broader audience.

‘We trained over 10 girls in each country and compiled their photos, which convey specific messages,’ he said. Odera noted that through their lenses, the young women will be able to share powerful narratives and reinforce the critical role of women and girls in promoting peace and challenging societal norms.

He said the program focused on young women to help amplify their voices in the regions where they are often underrepresented in the field of photography and public discourse.

Odera said We World supports the use of the media and arts to empower youth and open a dialogue at community level to reduce and manage tensions and challenge harmful stereotypes.

The communication officer announced that a regional exhibition focused on photo-voicing is still in the planning stages.

‘Following this regional event, the exhibition is set to travel to Italy, where it will showcase the various challenges faced by communities in Africa, as well as highlight the efforts of peace promoters across the continent,’ he said.

He noted that the international platform will provide a unique opportunity to amplify the voices of young women and bring global attention to their powerful visual narratives.

He said that they believe that by continuing to invest in the talents and aspirations of young women, they can contribute to lasting peace and gender equality in East Africa and beyond.

Odera noted that they are also working with various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and local authorities. He said through the partnerships, rights-focused NGOs receive regular training and grant support to better understand conflict dynamics and promote peace among youth in maskanis-informal gathering places within communities.

Odera said the efforts aim to address and combat Gender-Based Violence (GBV) within the communities, ensuring that both peacebuilding and the protection of rights are prioritized at the grassroots level.

A beneficiary Mwanaharusi Rashid expressed their gratitude for the opportunity, noting how the experience has empowered them to view the world differently and to act in promoting peace through their newfound skills.

She said they are looking forward to applying their skills in their local communities, using photography to document and address issues such as conflict, poverty, and gender-based violence.

She explained that during the training, they utilized lesos, traditional coastal cloths worn by women as a medium to convey messages of peace and love.

Lesos are commonly used by the Swahili people along Kenya’s coastal strip, often adorned with specific messages that reflect the occasion, serving both as a symbol of beauty and a tool for communication.

She added that the team also visited youth maskanis and boda boda stages to raise awareness about gender equity and peace through photography.

‘Our conversations focused on embracing new gender norms to promote equal development and create a peaceful environment where everyone can thrive,’ she said.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Suna West Member of Parliament Peter Masara has slammed the court order that found the National Government-Constituency Development Fund (NG-CDF) to be unconstitutional.

Speaking during the educational stakeholders’ meeting at one of the hotels in Migori town, Masara stated that NGF-CDF was of public interest to the people of Kenya.

The MP however said that he would respect the court’s decision but emphasised the crucial role that the NG-CDF has played for the last 21 years.

The High Court through Justices Kanyi Kimondo, Mugure Thande, and Roselyne Aburili declared NG-CDF Act 2015 unconstitutional, and ruled that its projects, programmes, and activities shall cease to operate come June 30, 2026.

NG-CDF has been in operation since 2003 when President Mwai Kibaki came to power to first-track development, reduce poverty and enhance regional equity across the constituencies.

‘From NG-CDF, the Kenyan citizens at the grassroots level have benefitted socio-economically as well as educationally across the country,’ disclosed Masara.

The legislator urged that the drafters of the 2010 Constitution relook at the sacred document to align with items that aim to propel the economic transformation agenda of the country.

He said that many schools in Suna West Constituency as well as other constituencies across the country have benefitted from NG-CDF through new and improved infrastructure.

‘The NG-CDF has continued to improve the schools’ infrastructures with a special focus on girls, giving hope and empowering them in pursuing higher education beyond the high school level,’ said Masara.

He however cautioned against centralizing capitation more, saying it would disadvantage the needy students at the grassroots level.

The education stakeholders meeting was graced by school principals, KUPPET and KNUT officials, and the Director of Education TSC to dissect education matters in Suna West Sub County.

Source: Kenya News Agency

The government has constructed a multi-million-shilling primary school in West Pokot County to serve as a hub of peace and education for the residents of the County and for the neighbouring communities.

Sangak primary school situated in Pokot central Sub County is an initiative from the government to provide quality education while fostering peace and stability amongst communities affected by banditry.

The school is situated in an area that historically faced challenges related to conflicts and limited access to education resources along the boundary of West Pokot and Turkana counties.

Managing Director for the Rift Valley Region in the President’s Delivery Unit Olando Sitati said that the school would be a center of peace and education.

Sitati led a team from the Office of the President who visited the school to inspect the quality of the ongoing construction work and the sustainability of the project, and the potential impact on the local community.

He noted that the construction of the boarding school is progressing well, with approximately 80% of the work completed.

Mr Sitati expressed its satisfaction with the construction progress, the government is optimistic about launching the project once completed.

He said the construction work will be completed within the next two to three weeks following the final phase of construction and necessary procedures, making it a valuable resource for different communities.

He noted that the inspection of the Sangak primary school construction work is an essential task for the government and for local stakeholders to continue monitoring its progress and gather feedback from the community to ensure that the school facility meets the needs of its students and serves its intended purpose as a center for peace and education.

Sitati reiterated that they have listened to concerns raised by local residents and added the government is committing to enhancing security in the school area.

West Pokot County director of education Simon Wamae, praised government efforts in coming up with a multi-million-shilling project in an area that is historically faced by security challenges.

Wamae remains optimistic that the educational project will bring significant positive changes, not only for the local population but also for neighboring communities.

He said that the new facility will help address major challenges in the area, such as addressing education disparities along the area prone to insecurity.

‘The boarding school at Sangat Primary School is part of a broader effort to enhance educational opportunities in areas affected by insecurity,” Wamae said.

He said the project is establishing a safe learning environment and is poised to attract students who might otherwise have been hindered by safety concerns in the region.

The education director said the assessment indicates that the school has the capability to accommodate 800 learners, covering the Early Childhood Development Education (EDCE) through to primary level.

West Pokot Sub County Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) Wycliffe Munanda emphasized that the school project aims not only to improve education access but also to foster harmony and peaceful coexistence among communities and reduce cattle rustling activities.

He disclosed that the school is a project of the Government of Kenya, with funding provided by International Development Association (IDA) through Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA).

DCC Munanda called for collaboration between local and national authorities to ensure the success of the school project, pointing out that the project will bring a positive impact to the lives of students in West Pokot County.

He said that the establishment of Sangak primary school was a pivotal step in addressing the issue of school dropout rates attributed to insecurity in the region.

”As we all know this area has high school dropouts due to insecurity cases, we believe the project will give many children in these areas access to education,” said Munanda.

Joseph Segetei, the head teacher of the border peace school thanked the government for its commitment to the peace border school project, which is nearing completion.

He expressed his optimism that the school would soon be operational, marking a significant step forward for the community.

However, he raised important concern regarding the safety of the students and the premises, given the school’s location in a border area prone to banditry activities.

Segetei emphasised the urgent need for a perimeter wall to be constructed around the school, adding that security is paramount for reassuring parents and encouraging them to enroll their children in the institution.

He said there is a need for proper security measures to be put in place, fearing that parents will be reluctant to send their children if insecurity concerns are not addressed.

‘As much as we are going to start the school very soon we have some challenges that we would like to highlight, the school is situated along a banditry-prone area and we would like the government to extend in constructing a perimeter wall around the school,” said Segetei.

He emphasized the importance of providing adequate transportation for students attending school, particularly given the significant distance between the school and neighbouring villages.

The head teacher underscores that while the school will ultimately serve as a boarding facility, the provision of a bus is essential to alleviate the burden on students who would otherwise have to walk long distances daily.

Furthermore, Segetei highlighted the necessity for the school to receive sustainability support during its initial operational phase, until it secures its National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) code, noting that the code is crucial for formal recognition and funding, and adequate support during the school grace period will help ensure the school’s successful establishment and functioning.

The construction of Sangak primary school is part of the Government of Kenya’s initiative that aims to promote peace in the North Rift region where children from different communities can learn and live together.

Source: Kenya News Agency

Bungoma County has rolled out a Sh40 million trade loan initiative aimed at supporting local traders and the jua kali sector across its 45 wards.

Speaking during the launch at Webuye Municipal Hall Monday, Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka hailed the programme as a critical step toward the economic empowerment of small-scale traders adding that the loan was expected to benefit 4, 500 traders.

The Governor noted that the county would enable the traders access affordable credit while linking them to mainstream banks, SACCOs, and microfinance institutions to help grow their businesses.

Lusaka noted that the initiative represented a pillar in the government’s mission to uplift Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

‘I, having pioneered trade loans in 2014/2015, am confident these loans will enable traders to expand and enhance their operations,’ he said.

The governor urged beneficiaries to invest the revolving funds wisely to foster business growth.

He further stressed that responsible loan management would ensure long-term development.

Lusaka noted that the loans would be invested in ways that would generate both individual and community prosperity.

He indicated that the programme operated within a legal framework and urged traders to make timely repayments to maintain its sustainability. The county government has put in place regulations to recover defaulted loans.

Lusaka urged traders and jua kali artisans who benefited to honour their repayment schedules to keep the programme sustainable and boost the County’s revenue.

Kapsokwony town village administrator Boaz Machowera applauded the move by the governor for providing loans to the local trader and jua kali artisans.

Machowera said that this fulfilled the Kenya Kwanza agenda of Bottom Up economic model.

He said that a total of 1000 traders would benefit from Mt Elgon ward in Mt Elgon Sub County.

Source: Kenya News Agency