WEF disburses Sh38.6 million to Kiambu women groups

The government has announced a major expansion of the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF) following a high-level women empowerment forum held at Kiambu National Polytechnic, Kiambu County, bringing together more than 1,000 women entrepreneurs, senior government officials, and stakeholders.

The forum marked a significant milestone in the country’s ongoing efforts to strengthen women’s participation in economic development under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

It also served as a platform to highlight achievements, address operational challenges and outline the next phase of growth for the Fund.

A key highlight of the event was the disbursement of Sh38.6 million to 80 women’s groups, benefiting 867 entrepreneurs from across Kiambu County.

The funding is expected to support businesses in agriculture, trade, manufacturing, and service sectors, contributing to job creation and improved household incomes.

Gender, Culture and Children Services CS Hanna Cheptumo, said women remain central to Kenya’s economic progress, noting that they operate more than half of all small and micro-enterprises and play a leading role in food production.

She observed that despite their contribution, women continue to face barriers such as limited access to credit, structured markets and business networks, which slow down economic growth.

The CS singled out Kiambu County as a national leader in the uptake and repayment of WEF loans, citing the county’s performance as evidence of strong financial discipline among women entrepreneurs.

“Currently, Kiambu County is taking the lead in uptake and repayment of these loans,” she said, adding that the trend demonstrates the readiness of women to effectively utilize available financial opportunities.

Cheptumo noted that the government will build on this success by increasing funding to both the existing and emerging women’s groups in the county.

“Can we do more? Yes, we can. That is why we must continue adding more funds to the already existing and upcoming women’s groups in this county. That is what we have come to do here today,” she stated.

The CS further announced that the government is working towards increasing WEF funding from Sh6 billion to at least Sh10 billion by 2027 to expand its reach and impact.

She also directed WEF management to address delays in loan processing and disbursement, noting that timely access to credit is critical for business growth and sustainability.

In addition, she emphasized the need for closer collaboration between national and county governments to ensure that WEF services reach women in all regions, including remote and underserved areas.

WEF Advisory Board Chairperson Dr. Jane Lang’at said the Fund has made notable progress since its inception, disbursing over Sh28 billion to more than 2.2 million women entrepreneurs across all 290 constituencies.

However, Lang’at noted that challenges remain, particularly in reaching women in rural areas and simplifying application processes to make the Fund more accessible.

“Figures on a page never fully capture the determination, the risk-taking, and the daily effort behind each business,” she said, calling for improvements that reflect the realities of women operating in informal sectors.

The chairperson outlined key priorities for the Fund, including expanding outreach at the county level, improving products and services, and strengthening linkages between access to credit and access to markets.

The forum also featured business training sessions on financial literacy, value addition, digital entrepreneurship, and compliance with Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO), aimed at equipping women with practical skills to grow their enterprises.

Beneficiaries shared experiences of how WEF support has transformed their livelihoods. Some reported expanding businesses, creating employment, and improving living standards through access to affordable credit.

Pauline Wambui, a beneficiary from Thika Town, said her group had ventured into real estate development using WEF loans, while another entrepreneur, Anastassia Ikonya from Kabete, noted that the funding had enabled her to expand her tailoring business and create employment within her community.

Women beneficiaries were encouraged to maintain strong repayment discipline to sustain the revolving fund and allow more entrepreneurs to benefit.

The Kiambu forum forms part of a nationwide outreach program, aimed at bringing WEF services closer to communities, while strengthening engagement with women entrepreneurs at the grassroots.

As the event concluded, the government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting women as key drivers of economic growth, noting that empowering women contributes to stronger families, resilient communities and overall national development.

By Grace Naishoo