Thirty-seven groups in Malindi have benefitted from Sh4.6 million Uwezo Fund.
Beneficiaries of the funds, who include the youth, women, men and people living with disabilities, were urged to invest the money wisely to improve their lives.
Malindi MP Amina Mnyazi said the funds have had a positive impact on the lives of many Kenyans and urged the beneficiaries to pay on time so the money can help others.
The legislator was speaking in Malindi during the handing over of Sh4.6 million Uwezo Fund to the 37 groups at the Malindi deputy county commissioner’s office.
Beneficiaries of the funds hailed the government for supporting them with the loans and asked for the funds to be increased.
Beneficiary Malika Auko said they had borrowed and repaid the funds three times and asked the government to increase their funding from Sh500,000 to Sh1 million.
She advised other groups to utilise their funds well and stop changing their diet after getting the loans as that would make it difficult for them to pay.
“I want to address you fellow women, if you are given Sh500,000 and your diet is usually omena and mchicha, do not change it to meat. If you change your diet ton meat, you might be unable to pay the loan because you spent the money on meat. just continue with your normal diet,” Auko said.
Malindi and Magarini youth officer Juma Mtana urged defaulters to pay the loans so the funds can benefit other groups.
He said Uwezo Fund in Malindi started in 2014 and it was the sixth time they were issuing the money.