Several women groups from Kisumu County on Saturday received cheques worth Sh5 million from Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) kitty.
The women drawn from 36 different groups were given the cheques to help them engage in business activities for empowerment.
WEF CEO Eng Charles Mwirigi who distributed the cheques praised women from Nyanza region saying they no longer fear taking loans.
Eng Mwirigi said the trend of loan uptake in the region is very high adding that it is a good effort which will empower the lives of many women in the region.
“I am very impressed with women from Nyanza region for the uptake of loans and quick repayments save for a few women,” said Eng Mwirigi.
He said they are also impressed with the rate at which women are repaying the loans, but pointed out that women in Migori County are defaulting in repayment.
Speaking in Kisumu at the Social Hall where he was distributing the cheques, Mwirigi urged women to also form Saccos to help consolidate their future.
“Women must continue being smart and form Saccos to enable them reap from government funds. Form Saccos to be a formidable force,” he said.
Mwirigi stated that since its inception in 2007, the WEF has distributed Sh6.2 billion to 59,000 groups adding that Central region is leading followed closely by Nyanza in terms of fund distribution.