The plans are underway for the County Government of Uasin Gishu to increase co-operatives funds to boost the crucial sector in the county’s development.
According to Uasin Gishu County Governor Jonathan Bii, registered groups seeking funding will be supported through co-operative societies. He said the Hustler’s Fund would also be distributed through co-operatives once established.
“My government will increase money allocation for the same so that groups can benefit. The money will also be channeled through the hustler’s kitty, which is meant to uplift those from ‘bottom to up’,” he said.
In addition to increasing the funds, the governor also promised to revive the collapsed co-operative societies by funding and changing their management and leadership.
 “I promise to revive the collapsed societies which failed due to mismanagement and corruption. I will ensure this is a thing of the past,” he stated.
In the previous regime, the County Government, through the County Enterprise Fund, released more than Ksh 500 million to the co-operatives, which Governor Bii said he would double to enable the smooth running of the co-operatives.
He urged Uasin Gishu residents to join co-operatives noting that they empower socially and economically, helping limit inequalities. He said co-operative members would also access affordable funds from the county and national governments.
“The co-operatives will reduce inequality by empowering people economically and providing a chance for the less-endowed to start businesses and gain access to services that would otherwise be beyond their reach,” he stated.
On the bodaboda sector, Bii said he would reduce the levies charged to operators by half for them to reap more from their sweat.
He said he plans to reduce the revenue paid by the bodaboda operators from Ksh 600 to Ksh300 and provide a friendly environment for them to continue with their business without being harassed.Â
