By Jabali Digital
Traders from 27 groups in Kisumu Central and Muhoroni Central sub-counties have received a timely financial boost under an economic empowerment program spearheaded by Kisumu County Woman Representative, Ruth Odinga.
The groups—comprising mostly market traders—each received cheques worth between Sh30,000 and Sh50,000 on Thursday, August 7, 2025, as part of Odinga’s ongoing initiative to support grassroots entrepreneurship across the county.
Speaking during the disbursement, the legislature revealed that the funds were drawn from seed money raised during a previous event held in Muhoroni, which received significant backing from, among others, President William Ruto and his deputy Abraham Kithure Kindiki.
“We split the funds into two categories—Sacco contributions and empowerment support,” she said.
“This is because we realized that unless groups are empowered first, they won't be in a position to utilize Sacco seed capital effectively.”
Prior to receiving the funds, group members underwent financial literacy training facilitated by the director of cooperatives, who also educated them on cooperative membership.
Odinga emphasized that follow-up engagements will be done to ensure the beneficiaries enroll in the Shield Okumba Sacco, to further grow their capital.
“Many of these women want to engage in trade but lack the means,” she noted. “That’s why we’re prioritizing support for market women.”
She also praised a traders' group in Nyakach for effectively using a previous gran of Sh100,000 to grow their investments to nearly sH1 million, terming it a model example of collective economic progress.
The program aims to reach trader groups across all seven sub-counties in Kisumu County.
