This initiative, designed to empower local communities, has gained recognition for its positive impact on grassroots businesses, and Nakuru officials are now keen to replicate the program in their own county.
Trans Nzoia County CEC Trade Patrick Gicheru, gave an overview of the Nawiri Fund’s operations, discussing the challenges encountered since its inception and the solutions adopted.
One of the key issues he highlighted was the initial method of providing cash directly to individuals, which led to a high number of defaulters.
To address this, the county shifted its focus to financing organized groups that are officially registered with relevant government agencies. This change, Mr. Gicheru explained, has significantly improved repayment rates and the overall impact of the fund.
“We quickly realized that distributing cash to individuals wasn’t sustainable. There were too many. Now, we focus on supporting registered groups, and this strategy has worked better, ensuring funds are used more effectively.” Mr. Gicheru said.
In the past financial year, Trans Nzoia County disbursed over Ksh 80 million through the Nawiri Fund, benefiting over 250 groups across 25 wards.
Each year, 30% of procurable items under the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) entities are set aside for local groups, ensuring that the program’s funds are well utilized.
“Our focus is on long-term empowerment, not just short-term handouts .The funds are helping to strengthen community enterprises, and the impact is clear.” he added.
Mr. Omari Ndiema, the Chief Officer for Trade and Industry in Trans Nzoia, also spoke on the importance of the Nawiri Fund in helping locals understand procurement processes and access government tenders.
“Governor George Natembeya is committed to ensuring the people of Trans Nzoia are familiar with procurement procedures, so they can benefit from government tenders,” Mr. Ndiema said. “This program is a key part of that effort.”
Martin Waliaula, the Chairman of the Nawiri Fund Board, praised Trans Nzoia County’s approach and shared his thoughts on how the successful model could be adapted elsewhere. He expressed interest in collaborating with other counties to scale the program and ensure that more people benefit from the idea.
“Trans Nzoia County has created a strong framework that has allowed the Nawiri Fund to run smoothly. It’s something that Nakuru County can borrow from to ensure accountability and avoid any audit issues,” Waliaula said.
Nakuru County’s Chief Officer for Cooperatives and Entrepreneurship, Mr. Kibet Kurgat, was equally impressed by the Nawiri Fund’s structure and operations. He emphasized that Nakuru County is considering starting a similar initiative to support savings and credit societies (SACCOs) and cooperatives in the region.
“The policies, strategies, and framework that have been put in place for the Nawiri Fund are impressive. We are looking at adopting these approaches in Nakuru to support our SACCOs and cooperatives, ensuring smooth operations and avoiding any potential audit queries.” Mr. Kurgat said.
As part of their visit, the Nakuru delegation toured some of the beneficiary groups, including Sanya Sanya Self Group and Transqueens Cooperative Society.
The representatives from these organizations shared their success stories and how the Nawiri Fund had helped them scale up their businesses and improve their livelihoods.
“The Nawiri Fund has truly transformed our operations,” said a member of Transqueens Cooperative Society. “We’ve been able to expand our reach and grow our membership. It’s a program that has made a big difference in our community.”
0 $type={facebook}:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.