Concerns have been raised over the small number of the youths in Thika West Sub-County who have applied for the Uwezo fund.
The Sub-County youth officer Laban Mwangi while speaking to Kiandutu Jiinue Uwezo funds beneficiaries on Wednesday said that this worrying trend would lock out many of them who are currently unemployed saying that the opportunity would certainly improve their living conditions.
"My department is frustrated because our youths seems to not be interested in accessing these funds which the government has set aside to improve their living standards," he lamented.
Mwangi called on the youths to apply for the loans as a group in larger numbers and benefit from the kitty which is open to all the youths countrywide.
"This money was distributed to the first batch of 87 groups who had applied for the cash and soon, the second batch will follow in a month’s time," he added.
Mwangi was speaking to a group of 10 members who have started rearing doves for commercial purposes where he issued them with a cheque of Kshs. 97,000.
He urged the group of beneficiaries to use the money wisely solely for the intended purposes for sustainable development.
Mwangi further said that the beneficiaries should strive to have a producer and not consumer economy to generate self employment and improve their earnings.
Out of 217 applications in the area, only 109 were successfully vetted and the groups have been given a grace period of six months to start repaying their loans.