State to distribute Sh50,000 grants to 70 traders in each ward - DP Kindiki

At least 70 small businesses in each of the 1,450 wards across the country will receive a grant of Sh50,000 from the government to help them expand their operations, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has announced.

Speaking during an economic empowerment forum in Naivasha, Nakuru County, Kindiki said the initiative is part of a larger effort to uplift Kenyans working at the grassroots through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (Beta).

The Deputy President said the program is designed to support local businesses run by individuals such as tailors, mama mboga, salon and barbershop operators, carpenters, and other traders who need financial help to grow.

"We are keen on boosting the small and micro enterprises so that they expand and create more jobs. We will have 70 small-scale traders in every ward benefit from this program," Kindiki said on Tuesday.

He reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza government is staying true to its pledge to support those at the bottom of the economic ladder through practical and targeted initiatives.

"We are serious and we don’t want to be distracted by political nuisances. That is the bottom-up promise we made and we are fulfilling. It is time to work, we shall do politics later," the DP added.

Kindiki also stated that empowerment forums for small-scale traders like boda boda riders and mama mboga will continue in all parts of the country.

He said these programs are meant to help them grow their businesses and improve their earnings.

"Anyone opposed to the empowerment programs should come out clearly and tell us they are not for empowering small-scale traders to grow and better the lives of the owners. We must ensure traders expand and help us grow our economy," he said.

Alongside the grant initiative, Kindiki revealed that the government is planning to expand the Climate WorX program, which is currently active in Nairobi, to other counties.

The program focuses on environmental rehabilitation, including river basin clean-ups and the unclogging of water and sewer systems, and aims to provide jobs to young people.

During the same event, Kindiki said he would personally follow up on development projects in Nakuru County, including the construction of 17 new modern markets in areas such as Naivasha, Mai Mahiu, Oserian, and Kinungi.

These markets are expected to be completed by the end of the year.

He also addressed the ongoing effort to relocate the victims of the Mai Mahiu dam tragedy.

According to him, the government is currently in talks to secure land for the affected families.

"We are negotiating the land to settle the victims of Mai Mahiu. We will finish it, and in a short period, they will be relocated," he said.

The empowerment event also saw Sh11 million raised to support the small traders.

Of this amount, President William Ruto donated Sh5 million, Kindiki gave Sh3 million, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika contributed Sh2 million, and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah added Sh1 million.

Governor Kihika noted that the government is building three modern markets in Naivasha sub-county to offer a safer and more dignified space for traders.

"We want to restore dignity to our traders and mothers who work very hard, sometimes even risking their lives as they trade along the roads to gain their daily bread. We are putting up markets of them which will have ablutions, nursing stations and even wifi," she said.

She added that mothers, like herself, will no longer have to hide while breastfeeding, thanks to the upcoming market facilities.

Kihika also appreciated the efforts of the county assembly members for continuing their oversight role during her maternity leave.