Uwezo fund releases Sh3 million to groups in Ugunja

Oct 14, 2023 - 14:37

Photo: Courtesy.

Siaya,

Saturday October 14, 2023

KNA by Philip Onyango

The Uwezo Fund Oversight Board has released more than Sh 3,000,000 to organized groups within Ugunja Sub County in Siaya.

Speaking during the release of the cheques to the groups at the Ugunja constituency office, Uwezo Fund Oversight Board officials, led by Lillian Kirutha said that 27 groups from the constituency will get a total of Sh3.1 million.

Kirutha said the board recognized the support it has been getting from the local Member of Parliament, Opiyo Wandayi, and encouraged residents to extend the same backing to them through timely repayment of loans.

The chief guest during the disbursement of the cheques, Ugunja deputy county commissioner James Aluodo encouraged the locals not to fear taking development loans.

Aluodo said the government was encouraging Kenyans to form organized groups through which they could access cheap finances from several affirmative funds created by the government.

He said it was encouraging that the locals were among the best in repaying loans, processed for them by the Uwezo fund, and challenged those who are yet to start repayment to do so.

The DCC said that the national administration officers in the area will carry out campaigns to sensitize the locals on the need to form groups to benefit from several government funds and the need to repay the same.

Addressing attendants, Mr. Asteri Angolo who represented the area Member of Parliament Opiyo Wandayi lamented that though the constituency has been doing well in loan repayment, two groups were pulling it down.

Angolo said that some Youth groups and others from the Persons living with disability category were poor in loan repayment, adding that this will jeopardize the chances of other groups benefitting.

“Default rate is high among youth groups and among persons living with disability as it stands at 100%,” he said adding that there was a need to look into the reasons behind poor performance by the two categories.

Courtesy; KNA