The County Government of Laikipia will leverage on its exiting financial facilities to support over 5,000 women entrepreneurs in a new programme mooted by a Dutch organisation.
The programme called “Enhancing Opportunities for Women’s Enterprises (EOWE) in Laikipia County” is designed to sharpen women’s entrepreneurial acumen. The Dutch government is financing the project, which is implemented in Kenya and Vietnam. SNV Netherlands Development Organisation is the implementing agency.
“We have set aside Ksh 10 million (88111 Euros) for County Enterprise Fund and Ksh. 20 million (176222 Euros) for County Cooperative Revolving Fund. We also have Ksh. 10 million (88111 Euros) for Household Economic Empowerment Programme designed for micro-household activities like setting up kitchen gardens and purchase of water tanks. These funds are all geared towards giving women an edge,” said Joshua Irungu, the Governor, Laikipia County.
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Irungu made the remarks in Nanyuki Town, 147 KM north of the capital, Nairobi, when he signed an MOU on behalf of the county with SNV.
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business groups in the county will benefit from the empowerment programme. SNV has a strong presence in Laikipia County running a raft of projects. On its part, the County Government will ensure that all the critical legislations and policies in support of the businesses are in place.
“This programme is a golden opportunity for Laikipia County,” enthused the governor shortly before he signed the MOU. “It will empower women in this county to be productive and thereby boost the economic wellbeing of households and the county at large.”
“We’ll support women with initial capital once they have undergone the empowerment programme,” the governor said.
The governor also announced that he will set aside parcels of land to establish Business Advisory Centres. These Centres will serve as a one-stop shop for business information where the women can gain insights on businesses, market information guidance and even mentorship on entrepreneurship.
“We desire to build women capacities in business ventures, access to financing and access to markets,” explained Sabdiyo Dido, the SNV’s Global Manager for EOWE.
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Enhancing Opportunities for Women’s Enterprises programme seeks to empower women economically in 12 ASAL counties in Kenya and 15 communes in Vietnam. The 6.7 Million Euros programme is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands Government as part of the Funding Leadership and Opportunities for Women (FLOW) funding stream. #RococoPR