Naivasha’s Uwezo Fund Management Committee has disbursed Sh2.3 million to 16 local groups under the program’s eighth phase, marking a significant boost for small enterprises and community initiatives. The funding, announced by Constituency Uwezo Fund Management Committee Secretary Kezia Mwaura, includes allocations for four first-time beneficiaries, while 12 groups received additional financing after demonstrating repayment capacity. Since the Fund’s inception in 2014, Naivasha has received over Sh44 million, with 361 new groups registered and 150 currently revolving the facility, according to Mwaura.
The most common activity among beneficiaries remains table banking, followed by agriculture and small-scale businesses. Youth groups, however, predominantly focus on transport, particularly boda boda operations. Among the new recipients, 2020 Starters—a 15-member group established in 2020—plans to expand its table banking operations using the funds. Group member Francis Muchoki revealed the group had accumulated Sh100,000 through savings and charged 10% interest on loans, aiming to increase borrowing capacity for members.
Bridge of Hope, a 33-member group, received its second Uwezo Fund allocation of Sh100,000. Previously, the group used Sh50,000 to purchase land, and now plans to construct a multipurpose hall for meetings and events. Group member Johnson Kimaru emphasized that members are committed to repaying loans, with individual repayment agreements in place. Meanwhile, Mahigaini Group, which has accessed the Fund three times, received Sh360,000—the largest allocation among the 16 groups—primarily for poultry farming and organic agriculture, alongside table banking activities.
Despite these successes, Mwaura highlighted a 42% overall repayment rate, with 10% of beneficiaries making no payments and 90% contributing only partial amounts. She urged groups to prioritize repayments, noting that the Fund’s revolving nature depends on timely repayments to support new applicants. The committee also announced plans to digitize registration and loan management processes, aiming to streamline applications, appraisals, and repayments through online platforms.
Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, speaking at the disbursement ceremony, commended high-performing groups and stressed the importance of using funds for productive ventures. She acknowledged economic challenges but urged repayment to ensure continued access for others. Kihara also encouraged youth to engage in income-generating activities like poultry farming, citing the Uwezo Fund’s favorable repayment terms compared to informal lenders.
The Uwezo Fund, launched in the 2013/2014 financial year, has disbursed Sh8.4 billion to 84,921 groups nationwide, including 55,304 women’s groups, 27,443 youth groups, and 2,174 groups representing persons with disabilities. The program targets marginalized communities, offering affordable financing for enterprise development. With Naivasha’s latest disbursement, the Fund continues to play a pivotal role in local economic empowerment, albeit amid ongoing challenges in financial discipline and sustainability.
The disbursement underscores the dual realities of the Uwezo Fund: its capacity to catalyze community-driven growth and the persistent need for improved financial accountability. As the committee advances its digitalization plans, the focus remains on balancing accessibility with responsible lending to maximize the Fund’s impact on Kenya’s grassroots economy.