Kiambu town buzzed with activity on Wednesday as more than 1,000 women entrepreneurs assembled at the Kiambu National Polytechnic for a significant Women Empowerment Forum. Hosted by the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF), the event showcased the government’s dedication to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), uniting prominent state officials, lawmakers, and local business leaders to harness the economic capabilities of women in the area.
The forum was led by the Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture, and Children Services, Hanna Wendot Cheptumo, accompanied by a distinguished delegation comprising Gender Principal Secretary Anne Wang’ombe, Correctional Services Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco, Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, and Kiambu Sub-County Senior Deputy County Commissioner Titus Macharia. The attendance of these officials demonstrated a cohesive national and local government effort focused on eliminating obstacles that prevent women from complete economic involvement.
In her keynote speech, Cabinet Secretary Hanna Wendot Cheptumo celebrated the fortitude of Kenyan women, highlighting that they manage over half of the nation’s small businesses and generate most of its food supply. She stressed that when women receive support, the entire national economy functions at elevated levels. The Cabinet Secretary revealed the distribution of cheques valued at KSh 38.6 million to 80 women’s groups in Kiambu, which she stated would directly benefit 867 households. She additionally pledged to push for raising WEF funding from the existing KSh 6.05 billion to a minimum of KSh 10 billion by 2027. Concerning administrative challenges, she directed WEF authorities to minimize delays between loan applications and fund releases, ensuring entrepreneurs obtain capital precisely when required to maintain business operations.
Reinforcing the value of structural backing, Principal Secretary for Gender and Affirmative Action Anne Wang’ombe emphasized that the Women Enterprise Fund serves as an essential mechanism for realizing constitutional equality rights. She encouraged women to legalize their businesses and maintain precise documentation to improve their credit eligibility. The PS also urged county governments to support national initiatives by streamlining business licensing processes and prioritizing women-owned enterprises in public procurement through the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) program.
Principal Secretary Dr. Salome Beacco of the State Department for Correctional Services underscored how economic stability contributes to social order and rehabilitation. She observed that financial independence decreases susceptibility and offers women the pride of self-sufficiency, which is crucial for strong families and a more secure community. She commended the cross-agency cooperation that delivers these opportunities to women from all backgrounds, irrespective of their past difficulties.
The legislative perspective was powerfully conveyed by Thika Town MP Alice Ng’ang’a, who motivated the women of Kiambu to be courageous in their enterprises and meticulous in their financial practices. She commended the WEF for its remarkable 95 percent repayment rate, asserting that this reliability demonstrates that women are the most dependable borrowers in the nation. She promised ongoing backing in Parliament to ensure that legal frameworks support small-scale merchants and safeguard the interests of women in commerce.
On behalf of the National Government Administration, Kiambu Sub-County Senior Deputy County Commissioner Titus Macharia guaranteed the attendees of the government’s commitment to fostering a favorable business environment. He stated that the administration is diligently working to provide security and accessibility, enabling commerce to prosper throughout all parts of the sub-county. He advised women to form organized groups, making it simpler for the government to direct development resources and training to them.
The governance viewpoint was presented by Dr. Jane Lang’at, Chairperson of the WEF Advisory Board, who clarified that the board’s responsibility is to guarantee that the KSh 28 billion distributed since the fund’s beginning continues to appropriately reach its intended beneficiaries. She acknowledged that although the fund has assisted 2.2 million women, further efforts are underway to extend services to underserved rural communities and simplify application procedures for those in the informal sector.
Success stories from beneficiaries illustrated the fund’s tangible impact. Pauline Wambui, Chairlady of the Juakali High Aimers Self Help Group in Thika, explained how WEF loans enabled her group to enter real estate by acquiring land and constructing rental properties. Likewise, Anastassia Ikonya of the Kiambu Mercy Mothers Self Help Group recounted how her sewing business grew after attending value-addition training and receiving a loan to buy modern equipment, subsequently resulting in supply agreements with nearby schools.
The forum concluded with a display of products spanning textiles to processed farm products, highlighting the varied skills of Kiambu’s women. As the authorities left, the prevailing message was evident: the economic empowerment of women represents not merely a social objective, but a cornerstone for the advancement and stability of the Kenyan nation.