The Lamu County Government has started issuing Special Interest Group Grants, with 96 women’s and youth’s groups, as well as over 100 people with disabilities (PWDs) from Shella and Mkomani wards, collecting cheques this Friday 1st April 2022, at Mkunguni Square in Lamu Island.

Governor Fahim Twaha officially launched the Ksh18 million enterprise grant, which is expected to benefit at least 450 micro and small businesses in the county operated by youth, women, and people with disabilities (PWDs).

The project, according to Governor Fahim Twaha, is a critical social transformation pillar that would boost economic opportunities and engagement for Lamu women, youths, and people with disabilities. He explained that the program aims to provide employment opportunities for these special interest groups by encouraging them to start their own businesses and become job creators.

“This is simply the begining; Our sustainable development agenda aims to leave no one behind, including women, youth, and those with disabilities. The goal is to attain a sustainable, inclusive, sustained, and equitable economic growth, supported by employment and decent work for everyone, social integration, increased productivity, and a pleasant environment for all Lamu residents.” Governor Twaha stated

He added that ” The County Government will be monitoring the beneficiary groups that have received the funding to see how they are doing, prioritizing groups with a good business track record to identify which ones require further support to grow.”

The Enterprise Fund, according to Hon. Paul Thairu, HSC, CECM for Education, Vocational Training, Youth, Gender, Sports, Culture & Social Services, is a revolving fund with no interest, which means small firms will not be bound to repayment tenures. It was established through the County Assembly act of 2018.

“Governor Fahim’s administration intends not only to foster a thriving entrepreneurial culture by funding needy enterprises within the county, but also to close the county’s negative socio-economic gap based on pro-poor and gender-sensitive development” Said Hon.Thairu

Prof. Joseph Nganga, the chief officer for Youth, Sports, Gender, and Social Services, underscored the county government’s commitment to advocacy in the areas of gender, youth affairs, and social services in order to socio-economically empower the county’s youth, women and People With Disabilities (PWDs).

Mkomani Ward MCA, Yahya Ahmed Shee lauded the move appealing to the beneficiary groups to make good use of the funds for posterity .

The first phase of this initiative targets over 450 special interest groups across the county, directly impacting on the lives of more than 4,500 families .

The issuance of grant cheques will be extended to the remaining seven wards.

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For more information contact:

Lamu County Government Communications Office at info@lamu.go.ke