LUGARI TRADERS SENSITIZED ON COUNTY LOANS.

H. E. Governor Fernandes Barasa’s administration is committed to the empowerment of small businesses by advancing affordable financing, with KSh.114 million allocated for loans to traders in the 2026/2027 financial year. Chief Officer for Trade, Ms. Faith Gitira, led other executives in a sensitization meeting in Lugari Sub-county, bringing together market chairpersons and administrators to educate them on accessing County loans. The team encouraged the market officials and asked them to serve as ambassadors of the initiative by sensitising traders on the programme, eligibility requirements and application procedures.

The participants were informed that market committees will play a key role in the new lending model by helping in the identification of beneficiaries, facilitate access to loans and follow up on repayments under the revolving fund. The model is designed to strengthen accountability, promote responsible borrowing and ease the tracing of loan defaulters. Ms. Gitira described market leaders as an important link between the County Government and traders, urging them to resolve market disputes amicably, support revenue collection and avoid activities that could undermine service delivery and the smooth running of markets.

Ms. Gitira, further, announced plans for a new garbage collection model, with service providers to be assigned to the Northern, Lower and Central regions to improve waste management in markets and trading centres. She said the County will review relevant legislation to consider providing market chairpersons with stipends to enable them to discharge their responsibilities more effectively. County Microfinance CEO, Mr. Charles Oranga, urged traders to access affordable loans through registered groups, stressing that responsible borrowing and timely repayment will ensure that more traders benefit from the revolving fund.

Mr. Oranga also reminded traders that revenue collection is automated and cautioned them against making payments in cash, urging them to use approved payment channels for transparency and accountability. The meeting provided an opportunity for market chairpersons to raise challenges affecting them and propose solutions to improve market operations and service delivery.

Also present were the Governor’s Economic Advisor, Ms. Nancy Mudeheli, County Ombudsman, Mr. Nelson Majimbo and Lugari Sub-County Administrator, Mr. Bruno Ochanda.