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{
    "id": 1410535,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1410535/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 47,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Aldai, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Marianne Kitany",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": " Hon. Speaker, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44(2)(c), I wish to request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection regarding the disbursement of the Women Enterprise Fund (WEF). Hon. Speaker, the Women Enterprise Fund was established in 2007 primarily to provide accessible and affordable credit and business support services to women entrepreneurs to start or expand their businesses for enterprise development. The fund plays a crucial role in strengthening women-led Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), a sector that significantly drives the economy of the country. In early 2023, the Government re-launched the Women Enterprise Fund aiming to enhance accessibility of the fund through increased resources and digitisation. However, the borrowing limit of the fund was revised drastically from Ksh750,000 to Ksh50,000 per group. This reduction severely impacts women groups, the primary users of the fund, as the Ksh50,000 may not adequately meet their financial needs for enterprise development. The reduction seeks to stifle the very mandate that the Fund was established to accomplish, which is to support and strengthen women entrepreneurs. Hon. Speaker, it is against this background that I request for a statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Social Protection on the following: 1. What is the rationale behind reducing the borrowing limit, especially considering the Fund’s expanded resources and the fact that it specifically targets women groups? 2. What measures are being put in place to ensure that the Women Enterprise Fund remains an effective tool for supporting women entrepreneurs? Thank you, Hon. Speaker. The electronic version of the Official Hansard Report is for information purposesonly. A certified version of this Report can be obtained from the Hansard Editor"
}