𝐆𝐎𝐕𝐄𝐑𝐍𝐎𝐑 𝐁𝐀𝐑𝐀𝐒𝐀 𝐋𝐀𝐔𝐍𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐒 𝐊𝐒𝐡.𝟔𝟎 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐂𝐎𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐎𝐂𝐈𝐀𝐋 𝐏𝐑𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐂𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍 𝐆𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐒 𝐈𝐍 𝐍𝐀𝐕𝐀𝐊𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐎.

Women, youth, widows and persons living with disabilities need practical support to grow their livelihoods and become more economically independent. Today, H.E. Dr. Fernandes Barasa, FCPA, OGW., has taken this support directly to the people of Navakholo by officially launching the issuance of the County Government’s Social Protection Grants worth KSh.60 million.

Navakholo Sub-County has received KSh.5 million, benefiting 100 groups across its five wards. Each ward has received KSh.1 million to support 20 groups, with each group receiving KSh.50,000. The beneficiaries include 45 women groups, 20 youth groups, 10 groups of persons with disabilities and 25 widows’ groups.

The support will help groups start or expand small businesses, invest in income-generating activities, strengthen household incomes and create opportunities for members to improve their livelihoods. Governor Barasa urged the beneficiaries to use the grants responsibly and invest in productive ventures that can generate sustainable income.

The Navakholo rollout marks the beginning of the wider KSh.60 million programme across Kakamega. The programme will benefit 1,200 groups in all 60 wards, comprising 540 women groups, 240 youth groups, 300 widows groups and 120 groups of persons with disabilities.

Governor Barasa’s empowerment programme builds on other financial support initiatives implemented through the Kakamega Microfinance Corporation. More than KSh.140 million has been disbursed through the Corporation over the past four years, including KSh.45 million in FY 2024/2025.

The Governor also highlighted ongoing investments in Navakholo Sub-County, among them ECDE centres at Lutaso, Sirigoi and Shibembe, KSh.11.88 million in bursaries benefiting 3,959 students, as well as investments in healthcare, roads, markets and water projects.

By putting resources directly into the hands of community groups, Governor Barasa is expanding economic opportunities at the grassroots, ensuring that development goes beyond infrastructure to strengthening the capacity of families and communities to earn, grow and prosper.

The event was attended by MCAs led by Majority Leader Hon. Philip Maina,Members of the County Executive Committee led by CECM for Social Services CPA Jackline Masicha, as well as other county officials and local leaders.