Hundreds of residents in Lari Constituency are set to benefit from a major economic empowerment initiative after the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) rolled out financial grants and business equipment aimed at strengthening community groups and supporting small-scale entrepreneurs.
The programme, spearheaded by Kiambu County Woman Representative Anne Wamuratha, saw five community groups receive non-refundable empowerment cheques worth KSh100,000 each, while traders and entrepreneurs in Nyanduma Ward were issued with business tools and equipment designed to improve productivity and expand income-generating activities.
Speaking during the empowerment exercise, Wamuratha said the initiative demonstrates the government’s commitment to moving beyond political promises by investing directly in grassroots communities and supporting sustainable livelihoods.
“We are not making promises—we are empowering communities, supporting livelihoods, and driving real change from the ground up,” she said, adding that the programme is focused on delivering tangible results for ordinary Kenyans.
The five beneficiary groups that each received KSh100,000 grants under the NGAAF programme are Kamuchege People with Disability Self Help Group, Gatamaiyu Blessed Welfare Group, Escarpment Mwihoko Self Help Group, Kamukombi-ini Pioneers Self Help Group and Team Rui Self Help Group.
The grants are expected to help the groups expand their economic activities, strengthen savings initiatives, invest in income-generating projects and improve the welfare of their members. The funding is non-refundable, allowing beneficiaries to channel the resources directly into community development projects and business ventures.
In Nyanduma Ward, the empowerment programme extended beyond financial support through the distribution of a wide range of equipment targeting traders, youth, women, persons living with disabilities and small business owners.
Market traders received market umbrellas to shield themselves and their merchandise from harsh weather conditions, while salon operators were equipped with salon sinks, nail technicians’ chairs, UV nail curing machines, blow dryers and hair dryers to improve customer service and expand their beauty businesses.
Barbers also benefited from barbering machines, shaving machines and barber chairs, equipment expected to enhance efficiency and professionalism in grooming services.
Food vendors were issued with chips fryers, eggs and smokies trolleys, juicers and chafing dishes to improve food preparation, mobility and service delivery. Market trolleys were also distributed to ease transportation of goods within trading centres.
The programme further targeted transport operators by providing boda boda riders with safety helmets and motorbike umbrellas to improve safety and protect them from adverse weather while working.
Persons living with visual impairments received white canes to enhance their mobility and independence, while entrepreneurs in the vehicle cleaning business benefited from car wash machines aimed at improving efficiency and increasing earnings.
According to Wamuratha, the initiative seeks to empower local entrepreneurs with practical tools that enable them to grow their enterprises, create employment opportunities and contribute to the local economy.
She noted that equipping traders and artisans with appropriate business equipment reduces operating costs, improves service quality and increases their competitiveness, ultimately translating into improved household incomes.
The Woman Representative reaffirmed her commitment to ensuring NGAAF resources reach deserving beneficiaries across Kiambu County, particularly women, youth, vulnerable groups and persons living with disabilities, who often face barriers in accessing capital and business support.
Residents who attended the exercise welcomed the programme, saying the grants and equipment would significantly boost their businesses and improve their livelihoods at a time when many small enterprises continue to face economic challenges.
The NGAAF empowerment initiative forms part of ongoing efforts to promote financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and community development by providing grassroots groups and small business owners with the resources needed to build sustainable enterprises and improve their standards of living.
