The National Government has disbursed Sh3 million to five youth groups in Kericho County through the Youth Enterprise Development Fund (YEDF), providing fresh capital to expand businesses, strengthen income-generating activities and create employment opportunities. The latest financing is targeting youth-owned enterprises across the county, with beneficiaries drawn from different constituencies.
Kericho County Youth Enterprise Development Fund Credit Officer Victor Langat said the latest beneficiaries include Meturi Youth Group, Kamiwa Shinners Self Help Group, Lemeiywet Village Youth Group, 88 Lelach Youth Group and Chepkosilen United Youth Group.
Some Areas Yet to Benefit
Langat said Kipkelion East and Sigowet-Soin were yet to benefit from the latest financing cycle because of pending applications. He encouraged eligible young people in the two constituencies and across Kericho to complete the application process and take advantage of the financing opportunities available through the Fund. According to Langat, uptake of YEDF financing in the county remains below its potential despite the availability of different loan products targeting youth enterprises across various sectors. During the previous financial year, 10 youth groups received a combined Sh4.36 million from the Fund.
“We urge all the youth within Kericho County to utilize these opportunities the Government has provided for them to create job opportunities,” Langat said.
Loan Repayment Improves
The county office has also recorded an improvement in loan recovery, with Sh5.39 million recovered during the last financial year, compared with approximately Sh2 million in an earlier financial year. Langat attributed the improvement to increased monitoring and regular follow-up of beneficiary groups. He said closer engagement with borrowers had enabled the Fund to identify challenges affecting businesses early while encouraging beneficiaries to honour their repayment obligations.
Youth Groups Invest in Agribusiness
Some of the beneficiaries are already using the financing to establish and expand enterprises in agriculture, trade and other income-generating activities. 88 Lelach Youth Group from Belgut Constituency has invested in poultry farming, maize farming and cereal trading. Group member Julius Ng’etich said cereal trading had become the group’s main enterprise, with members buying and selling cereals and supplying customers, including Kabianga University. Kamiwa Shinners Self Help Group has also expanded its activities through YEDF financing. Its members are engaged in table banking and cereal trading.
Group member Lily Chepkorir Koech said the group initially accessed a Sh100,000 loan and later secured Sh300,000 after successfully repaying the first facility. The group has since applied for Sh500,000 to expand its operations further. Koech said the group had secured tenders to supply cereals to schools and was also advancing loans to members to strengthen their individual businesses.
YEDF Promotes Agribusiness and Enterprise
Langat encouraged young people to explore agribusiness, noting that the Fund’s Agribizz Loan is available to agripreneurs, including registered youth groups, individuals, partnerships and youth-owned companies. Other financing products include the Stawi Loan, which supports group projects, existing businesses, business expansion, special business projects and the acquisition of group business assets. Youth-owned businesses with eligible procurement contracts can also access the Trade Finance (LPO/LSO) Loan, which supports the execution of Local Purchase Orders and Local Service Orders.
Government Seeks to Increase Youth Fund Uptake
The Youth Enterprise Development Fund is working with the Kericho County Government and other partners to conduct sensitisation programmes aimed at increasing awareness of available financing opportunities. The programmes are expected to provide young people with information on loan products, application procedures, business requirements and repayment obligations.
For beneficiary groups, access to affordable enterprise financing can provide an opportunity to move from informal income-generating activities to more structured businesses capable of creating employment and supporting local economies. The government says continued access to enterprise finance, coupled with business development support and responsible loan management, can help more young people build sustainable businesses and participate in employment creation.