Rachel Ruto backs women’s groups as engine of economic power
First Lady Rachel Ruto has urged women to join self-help groups, pool resources and pursue financial independence to strengthen families and communities.
Speaking in Nandi County during a women’s economic empowerment gathering, Mrs Ruto said collective ventures, including table banking, had enabled women to save, invest, start businesses and improve their livelihoods.
She urged women to take advantage of government programmes such as the Women Enterprise Fund and Hustler Fund. The Women Enterprise Fund has disbursed more than Sh28 billion to over 2.28 million women, while the Hustler Fund has advanced more than Sh90 billion to 28 million borrowers across all 47 counties.
Nandi Governor Stephen Sang praised women’s contribution to community development and urged governors to strengthen women’s groups financially. He also backed the “Tutam” movement and President William Ruto’s re-election bid.
MPs Cynthia Muge, Julius Melly and Josses Lelmengit highlighted the benefits of table banking, while PS Mary Muthoni urged women to embrace cancer screening and early detection.
