Uasin Gishu ICT and Trade County Executive Dr. Mary Kjogos at a past event. [Photo/Joe Khisa]
The county government of Uasin Gishu has reaffirmed its commitment to financially supporting all small-scale traders popularly known as hawkers.
Trade Executive Dr. Mary Kogos says the county has been providing them with cheap loans aimed at enabling them to expand their businesses.
Speaking in Eldoret town on Monday, Dr. Kogos said for the past two years, the small-scale traders have benefited from Sh6.5 million county loans.
She said the loans were channeled through the traders' Savings and Cooperatives Organizations (SACCOs).
“We care about the upcoming businesspersons and this is why as a county we decided to provide them with loans for them to expand and probably become future investors who will create jobs for our people,” noted Dr. Kogos.
“The loans are provided through Sacco s and an interest rate of 5 percent per anum which is far lower than what is being offered by financial institutions out there,” she added.
Of the three main hawker's Sacco's in the county, Wareng Heritage Sacco with the largest number of members has received sh4.5 million in loans while Eldo Sacco and Uasin Gishu hawkers Sacco receiving Sh1 million each.