This archive report was first published on 15 December 2021.
Thika: 500 Women Gather to Learn About Entrepreneurship ¶
Published on December 15, 2021
More than 500 women from Kiambu County gathered in Thika to learn about entrepreneurship and how to secure loans through the J-Hela program.
Thika Member of Parliament, Patrick 'Jungle' Wainaina, was the keynote speaker at the event, where he emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship in economic development.
He encouraged the women to form groups of ten or more to access loans through the J-Hela program, citing the example of bodaboda operators from Kiganjo, Makongeni, and Thika who had formed a group and were now the owners of a four-storey building.
Wainaina explained that the group had started saving Sh100 per day per member and after securing a loan from the J-Hela program, they were able to purchase a plot of land and build the four-storey building.
He has been advocating for entrepreneurship among farmers and residents of Kiambu County for over six months, encouraging them to form groups to access loans and develop their businesses.
One of the attendees, Sylvia Kitavi, praised Wainaina's efforts in empowering women to become entrepreneurs.
She said, 'We women have been inspired by Wainaina's message, and we have gained valuable knowledge that will propel us forward.'
Kitavi added that the women from the grassroots are not swayed by politics but are focused on developing their businesses.
Another attendee, Mary Wanjiku, said that they have been motivated to join groups to develop their businesses and that Wainaina has taught them how to 'catch fish' instead of being given 'fish to eat.'
