West Pokot, Kenya – Governor Simon Kachapin has announced the disbursement of KSh 2.8 million in seed capital to 456 deserving households in Siyoi, Endough, and Weiwei wards as part of the county’s ongoing Poverty Graduation Programme, implemented in partnership with Village Enterprise.
This second round of funding follows an earlier disbursement of KSh 2.7 million to 441 participants, bringing the total number of households supported to 897. Beneficiaries have undergone business and financial literacy training to help start small businesses and generate sustainable income. Monitoring systems indicate participants are forming savings groups, currently saving an average of KSh 135,000 per month.
The initiative forms part of a broader county strategy to reduce extreme poverty, which still affects 26.3% of the population, and complements programs such as Ondoa Nyasi, replacing grass-thatched houses with safer homes, and bursary schemes supporting vulnerable children.
Governor Kachapin highlighted that the county has passed the Poverty Graduation Policy and Bill and allocated KSh 10 million in the upcoming budget to expand the program, emphasizing a commitment to long-term impact.