TALKING POINTS BY COMMISSIONER NJOKI KAHIGA, OGW. CHAIRPERSON, WOMEN ENTERPRISE FUND DURING INTERNATIONAL WIDOWS DAY CELEBRATION ON 23RD JUNE 2022 IN SIAYA COUNTY
Hon Jebii Kilimo
Hon Members of Parliament
CEOs of Affirmative Funds,
Colleagues, Distinguished Guests
Ladies and Gentlemen
I am delighted to be here with you today to celebrate the International Widows Day in Siaya County.
Women empowerment is a key commitment of the Government, and the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) is a critical enabler, serving every woman regardless of tribe, religion, or socialization through facilitating their financial inclusion.
WEF, has for the last decade, ensured that women are accessing affordable credit and business support services thus fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals and the aspirations of the Kenya Vision 2030.
This program was envisioned to ensure that women create and provide employment and participate actively in the economic development of the country and achieve improved livelihoods.
Since inception, WEF has disbursed Ksh. Kshs 24.4 billion throughout the country to over 2 million beneficiaries, and the repayment rate is 98%. Today, Ksh. 30 million will be issued to 132 beneficiaries across the county.
Cumulatively, Siaya County has received Ksh. 313,712,900 million benefitting 29,867 beneficiaries. (2,484 groups)
Today as we celebrate the widows in the country, I note that women have suffered unprecedented exclusion from financial services consequently leading to economic disempowerment. However, the widows even face a more severe discrimination arising from cultural orientation, disinheritances, GBV, economic disempowerment among others making it paramount for programs to design specialize interventions for their special needs.
To address the identified issues facing widows, my Board approved a special product; ‘Thamini’ - to achieve a secure and enhanced income to improve the lives of widows and their families.
Thamini is a group-based loan facility disbursed through widow led groups that gives widows equal opportunity to access interest free group loans with no administration costs. The loan ranges from Kshs. 100,000 to Kshs. 1,000,000 with flexible repayment period from 15 to 30 months.
To date, Ksh. 15,450,000 has been disbursed to 987 widows comprising of 84 groups. Today we will issue Ksh. 6,000,000 to 40 group
I take this opportunity to recognize the good work that the Fund and the various partners have done to make the dream of widows come true. I encourage my officers to continue ensuring effective, efficient, and prudent management of the Fund for posterity. I equally urge all stakeholders to embrace the Fund and be good ambassadors so that every widow in any corner of this republic can be reached.
Finally, I wish to conclude by reaffirming Government’s commitment towards ensuring that women access opportunities that will enable them to realize their fullest potential.
THANK YOU