Kiambu youth, women trained ahead of Sh200m traders’ fund launch
By Oliver Musembi, February 20, 2023A training course for youth and women in Kiambu county on financial management has started, ahead of disbursement of a Sh200 million kitty for budding traders.
The training is being conducted by the county government in partnership with Zetech University. It targets youthful small-scale traders, particularly those leaving colleges or high school, according to officials.
Speaking during the closure of one training session for traders from Gatong’ora Ward in Ruiru sub-county, Youth and Sports County Executive Committee (CEC) member Osman Kora said Jiinue Fund would be rolled out by Governor Kimani Wamatangi in two weeks.
“We have partnered with Zetech University to train potential beneficiaries of the fund so that they are well equipped with the right skills to ensure prudent use of the money,” said Kora, who was accompanied by Gatong’ora Ward MCA Dan Kuria.
More than 200 youth from the ward received the training, joining others from Juja, Witeithie and Thika who went through the course earlier.
“The training is spread across the 60 wards of Kiambu. We are reaching out to Zetech University and other institutions of higher learning to impart financial management skills on would-be beneficiaries,” Kora stated.
Management skills
Zetech Vice-Chancellor Njenga Munene (left) said many traders end up having their properties auctioned over failure to repay loans from financial institutions due to lack of management skills.
“They are being trained on various areas of business and financial management. The aim of this training is to empower the youth to avoid financial pitfalls,” said Prof Munene.
He went on: “As a university, we want to be a catalyst of economic empowerment for the local community. That is why we have teamed up with the Kiambu County government.”
The MCA said Gatong’ora Ward can become a major economic hub in the rapidly growing Eastern Bypass commercial zone, hence the need to train up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
Plans are also underway to open a new market at Mutonya, said the Ward Rep, adding that traders should take advantage of the county’s business fund.