A women group in Kikuyu has set up a programme where youths will receive loans in a bid to encourage entrepreneurship among the youth.
Speaking at Give hope hall in Kikuyu on Monday, the chairlady of Social Effort Empowerment Programme Organisation (SEEP) Ms Annette Waithera said the group had come up with a programme in which youths in the area are going to benefit with loans to help them set up their own businesses.
She said the idea was driven by the rate of unemployment among youth yet some of them have the ability to be successful entreprenuers.
The chairlady stated that the loans will be given to youths who apply and the applications will be done thrice yearly.
She said that the group will require youths to form groups of not less than five people and they should have a viable idea and if they are already in business, they should be able to demonstrate how much progress they've made.
Waithera said the applications will be done in January, May and September and those who qualify to get the loans will also be mentored to become successful business people.
"We are going to give loans to up to Sh100,000 depending on the business. We expect the youth to be able to benefit and also help others so that the generation can grow in a positive manner,” said Waithera.
She added, “We are not offering loans to gain or get a certain percentage."
She said the programme is set to begin on September 3 and urged youth in the region to apply for the loans.
Faith Nyokabi, a member of the group said the programme was going to curb ill behaviours among some youths.
She said there was a lot of potential among youths if only they are mentored and given a platform.
Nyokabi said that with such a programme, they are going to urge those who benefit to encourage others who engage in illegal acts to take part in the initiative hence change the society.