Hundreds of Jua Kali artisans in Kisumu have received equipment worth Sh5 million to help improve their livelihoods and generate income for welfare groups.
The equipment was distributed to 14 welfare groups through Hope 20 welfare organisation, with support from Principal Secretary for Interior and National Administration Raymond Omollo.
The donation included tents, chairs, music systems, speakers, cooking stoves and sufurias.
The groups will hire out the equipment to members of the public and use the proceeds to fund their activities and strengthen their savings.
Hope 20 representative Willis Akoth thanked Omollo for supporting members of the Jua Kali sector, saying the initiative would help improve the lives of people at the grassroots.
He said the initiative was part of the government’s economic empowerment programme and urged young people to organise themselves into welfare groups and take advantage of programmes aimed at improving their livelihoods.
Akoth said Hope 20 had introduced a savings scheme in the Jua Kali sector under which members contribute Sh20 a day.
About 4,000 artisans are taking part in the scheme, which he said could generate a significant pool of funds for investment.
“With a population of 4,000 artisans contributing Sh20 per day, we will be able to raise huge amounts of money for their growth,” he said.
Akoth also urged young people to focus on economic activities instead of allowing themselves to be used by politicians to cause unrest.
He said young people were often labelled as goons while their economic challenges received inadequate attention.
Kisumu Centre Jua Kali Artisans Association secretary-general David Odanga said the equipment would help artisans fight poverty.
“The gesture is good because in the past nobody had looked into the welfare of artisans,” he said.
Odanga said the Jua Kali sector had a large number of young people who needed support to establish sustainable livelihoods.
“We have a good number of young people, and we are happy that now the government is turning to us and helping us pull out of poverty,” he said.
However, he raised concern over the lack of adequate working space after Kenya Railways Corporation won a legal case over land where artisans have operated for many years.
He appealed to President William Ruto to intervene and help the artisans secure an alternative site where they can continue operating their businesses.
“I want to appeal to President Ruto to intervene so that we get this land back. This is the time we are now close to the government,” he said.
For 25-year-old artisan John Ochieng, the support provides an opportunity for young people to improve their lives through work.
He said the assistance would encourage more young people to engage in productive activities and take advantage of opportunities to improve their livelihoods.
“As a young person, I am being empowered at an early age,” Ochieng said.
He said the government should prioritise the welfare of citizens by creating opportunities that enable them to become self-reliant.
The artisans said the equipment would provide welfare groups with an additional source of income through hiring services, while strengthening savings and enabling members to invest in their businesses.
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