Nakuru County launches Ksh.100 million Wezesha Fund to boost small businesses and farmers

Nakuru County has officially launched the Wezesha Fund, a Ksh.100 million loan initiative aimed at empowering small-scale businesspeople and farmers through affordable credit. The fund, spearheaded by Governor Susan Kihika, has already disbursed Ksh.37 million to six cooperative societies and 95 registered groups. Speaking at the launch event, Governor Kihika emphasised that the fund is part of her broader commitment to fulfil her manifesto pledge of supporting grassroots economic growth. "Wezesha is about empowering our people to access credit, scale their enterprises, and improve livelihoods," she said. The fund is being distributed through KCB Bank under two components: the County Enterprise Fund, which targets registered self-help groups, and the Cooperative Revolving Fund, designed for cooperative societies. Under the current structure, registered groups can access loans ranging from Ksh.50,000 to Ksh.200,000, while cooperative societies can receive between Ksh.200,000 and Ksh.5 million. Governor Kihika encouraged small traders, boda boda riders, Community Health Promoters (CHPs), women, and youth to join Saccos or registered groups to qualify for the funding. She noted that 2,762 out of 3,300 CHPs have already joined the Nakuru CHP Sacco. The Governor also urged residents to register for the Social Health Authority (SHA) program, assuring them of improved access to healthcare services. Importantly, she reminded beneficiaries that the Wezesha Fund is a loan, not a grant. "Timely repayment is essential to allow others to benefit and to enable access to larger credit amounts in future disbursements," she stated. Governor Kihika further called for collaboration with donors, financial institutions, and the private sector to expand the fund through grants and co-financing opportunities. KCB Bank General Manager David Nyamu lauded the initiative, highlighting Nakuru’s potential as a rising investment hub. He encouraged responsible borrowing, noting that consistent borrowers could see their loan limits increased by up to five times, and eventually ten times.