Esther Murugi

All parliamentary appearances

Entries 521 to 530 of 541.

• 31 Jul 2008 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) In the 2007/2008 Financial Year, the Government of Kenya set aside Kshs1 billion for the Women Enterprise Development Fund, which is a revolving fund. It should be noted that the Ministry received the first half Exchequer release of Kshs500 million from Treasury only in December, 2007. Out of this amount, Kshs317 million was disbursed through micro-finance institutions, and Kshs41,329,100 through the Constituency Women Enterprise Scheme. In the 2008/2009 Financial Year, the Government has allocated Kshs315 million to the Fund. A balance of Kshs806,670,900 is now available for disbursement. The Ministry is not ... view
• 31 Jul 2008 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, we identified 12 micro financial institutions which gave out money at a rate of 8 per cent per annum. They are the Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE), Pamoja Women Development Programme, Wakenya Pamoja SACCO, Taifa SACCO, Co-operative Bank, K-Rep Bank, Business Initiative Management Assistance, Family Bank, Kujitegemea Credit, Small and Micro-Enterprises Finance Corporation, Mathira Farmers and Kenya Women Finance Trust. I am not aware that these institutions are lending the money at different rates of interest. If that is the case, I would like to have evidence, so that I can pursue the matter. view
• 31 Jul 2008 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, as I have said, we are reviewing the Women Enterprise Development Fund because we have found that it is not very comfortable for most of the women. One of the things we are doing is restructuring and giving conditions to these banks. However, when you give money to a bank, it is responsible to pay it back. So, occasionally, you find that they have conditions they cannot do away with. That is all we are saying. Most of the money should be channelled through the Constituency Women Enterprise Fund because it will be easy for all the ... view
• 31 Jul 2008 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, this money is meant for entrepreneurs, so that women can use it for income generating projects. So, if you are not engaged in entrepreneurship, I do not know why you would want to borrow this money, as you cannot qualify. The 12 micro-finance institutions I have mentioned give between Kshs50,000 and Kshs500,000 to individuals depending on the project or programme one would want to undertake. view
• 31 Jul 2008 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, when this Fund was introduced, the micro-financiers were identified in a hurried manner. So, a few things were not taken into account. We are reviewing all the micro-financiers who are going to handle this money, and one of the criterion that we are using is that the micro-finance should be friendly to women. We are also looking at micro- finance institutions found in most parts of the country and those which reach grassroots women. We are also looking at their capability to handle big money, because we do not want to give them money and then it ... view
• 31 Jul 2008 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, the information that I have is that the money is available at 8 per cent. If you have contrary information, please, give it to me so that I can investigate. The hon. Member has given me contrary information but I need actual evidence. I need to know who was given how much money and at what interest rate, so that I can follow it up. I need to know the groups that were given at higher than 8 per cent, so that I can follow it up. view
• 29 Jul 2008 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. I think parts (a) and (b) would be adequately addressed by the Minister of State for Provincial Administration and Internal Security because the matter relates to the District Commissioner's behaviour and the police--- view
• 29 Jul 2008 in National Assembly: That is the position, Mr. Speaker, Sir. view
• 29 Jul 2008 in National Assembly: Yes, Mr. Speaker, Sir. view
• 16 Jul 2008 in National Assembly: Mr. Speaker, Sir, I beg to reply. (a) I am aware that in line with the National Policy on Gender and Development of the year 2000 and the Sessional Paper No.2 of 2006 on Gender, Equality and Development and the Circular of November, 2006, directed that at least 30 per cent of all the appointments and promotions in the Public Service be women. Indeed, in his Kenyatta Day Speech of 2006 the President reiterated that 30 per cent of new employees recruited into the Public Service and appointments to public offices 1880 PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES July 16, 2008 should be women. ... view