The Uwezo Fund

13/05/2026

We are committed to empowering youths
Lengapiani Peter Financial Inclusion Fund -Hustler Fund Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development-Kenya Susan Auma Mang'eni Cbs Government of Kenya Spokesperson

09/05/2026

Residents of Butula Constituency today gathered at Bukhalalire Secondary School for a Joint Sensitization and Economic Empowerment Programme hosted by area MP Hon.Joseph Oyula in collaboration with the Uwezo Fund.

The event was graced by the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, alongside Nabii Nabwera and Bernard Shinali.

The programme brought together women, youth, persons with disabilities, cooperative societies, farmers, and local leaders to discuss economic empowerment, enterprise development, financial inclusion, and access to government opportunities. During the event, the Uwezo Fund disbursed Kshs. 4.04 million to 40 beneficiary groups, including 29 new groups and 11 refinancing groups.

Speaking at the event, Wycliffe Oparanya urged residents to embrace cooperatives, entrepreneurship, and government empowerment programmes to improve livelihoods and drive economic growth. He also unveiled the Shirikiana SACCO, which targets to recruit over 300,000 members by the end of the year.

To support agricultural diversification, the Cabinet Secretary distributed coffee seedlings to farmers and encouraged residents to venture into coffee farming alongside sugarcane farming. Leaders also called for more agricultural extension officers and promotion of the bamboo industry as an emerging economic opportunity.

The programme further highlighted various initiatives under the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development, including the Nyota Programme, with leaders encouraging residents to actively participate in empowerment programmes, strengthen cooperatives, and invest in income-generating businesses to fight poverty and improve livelihoods.

Lengapiani Peter
Micro and Small Enterprises Authority - MSEA
Financial Inclusion Fund -Hustler Fund
Government of Kenya Spokesperson

08/05/2026

Today Uwezo Fund Disbursed Kshs. 6 Million to 83 Groups in Bumula Constituency during a Joint Sensitization and Economic Empowerment Programme hosted by the Bumula Constituency Member of Parliament at the Bumula DCC Grounds in Bungoma County.

The event was graced by the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development, Wycliffe Ambetsa Oparanya, and hosted by the Bumula Constituency Member of Parliament, Jack Wamboka.

The forum brought together community members, local leaders, beneficiary groups, and government agencies with the aim of creating awareness on government empowerment opportunities, strengthening Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and promoting inclusive economic growth within the constituency.

Participants were sensitized on various government programmes supporting entrepreneurship, cooperative development, skills development, and access to affordable financing through initiatives such as the Uwezo Fund, the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE), the Financial Inclusion Fund (FIF), and Youth Affairs programmes.

Since inception, Uwezo Fund has continued to transform livelihoods across the country by providing interest-free loans to organized groups. In Bungoma County, the Fund has so far disbursed Kshs. 222.7 million benefiting 2,641 groups and institutions. Bumula Constituency alone has received and revolved Kshs. 35.5 million, supporting 371 groups and positively impacting more than 5,000 beneficiaries.

Speaking during the event, Hon. Dr. Oparanya reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to empowering youth, women, and persons with disabilities through accessible and affordable financing initiatives.

He encouraged beneficiary groups to utilize the funds prudently and embrace a strong repayment culture to ensure sustainability of the revolving fund and continued support to more communities.

He noted that prudent utilization and timely repayment of the loans would enable more groups across the country to access financing opportunities aimed at improving livelihoods, creating employment, and expanding small businesses.

The event also featured exhibitions by local entrepreneurs and MSMEs showcasing value-added products and innovations. Among the exhibitors was Onja Uone, which showcased a range of macadamia value-added products including macadamia butter, roasted macadamia, and macadamia oil. The enterprise undertakes its processing activities in Tongaren Constituency and exports its products to international markets.
Lengapiani Peter
Financial Inclusion Fund -Hustler Fund
Government of Kenya Spokesperson
Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development-Kenya

01/05/2026

Lengapiani Peter
Financial Inclusion Fund -Hustler Fund
Susan Auma Mang'eni Cbs
Government of Kenya Spokesperson
Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development-Kenya

24/04/2026

Uwezo Fund today disbursed KSh 4.69 million to 42 beneficiary groups during a landmark Cheque Issuance and Joint Economic Empowerment Sensitization Programme held at Chevaywa Technical and Vocational College in Lugari Constituency.

The disbursement underscores the government’s unwavering commitment to empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities through the provision of accessible and affordable credit. Of the KSh 4.69 million distributed:

New Groups: 27 groups received a total of KSh 1.83 million.
Today, the Uwezo Fund issued cheques amounting to KSh 4.69 million to 42 beneficiary groups during a Cheque Issuance and Joint Economic Empowerment Sensitization Programme and held at Chevaywa Technical and Vocational College in Lugari Constituency, Kakamega County.

The event, which served as a focal point for economic development in the region, was graced by Hon. FCPA Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development, and hosted by the Member of Parliament for Lugari Constituency, Hon. Nabii Nabwera.

It brought together key government empowerment agencies, namely Youth Enterprise Development Fund, Financial Inclusion Fund, Micro and Small Emterprise Authority (MSEA) and Kenya Industrial Estates, to advance enterprise development and financial inclusion.

As part of the disbursement, Uwezo Fund issued a total of KSh 4.69 million, with 27 new groups receiving KSh 1.83 million and 15 groups benefiting from refinancing amounting to KSh 2.86 million. The beneficiaries comprised 37 women groups and 5 youth groups, underscoring the Fund’s continued commitment to empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities through accessible and affordable credit.

Complementing this, the Youth Enterprise Development Fund injected an additional KSh 10 million into the local economy, providing further capital to boost youth-led enterprises and accelerate job creation within the county.

In a significant show of support for local entrepreneurs, the Women Representative and County Patron for the Uwezo Fund, Hon. Elsie Muhanda, utilized the platform to donate tents to women’s groups in Lugari Sub-County, courtesy of the National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF).

Beyond financial support, Cabinet Secretary Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya emphasized the government's investment in human capital and infrastructure. During the visit, the CS llaid the foundation stone for an affordable housing project valued at KSh 70 million initiating the construction of a KSh 255 million student hostel, designed to house 580 students with the capacity to expand to 1,000, and featuring integrated commercial shop spaces.

He further inspected the progress of an ongoing tuition block development at the college.

The event concluded with an engaging programme featuring tree planting, beneficiary testimonials, exhibition tours, and intensive sensitization sessions. These sessions were specifically designed to equip entrepreneurs with vital skills in financial discipline, business management, and the importance of responsible loan repayment to ensure the sustainability of the revolving fund.
Lengapiani Peter
Financial Inclusion Fund -Hustler Fund
Government of Kenya Spokesperson
Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development-Kenya

14/04/2026

Uwezo Fund, Consolidated Bank Explore Strategic Partnership to Boost Beneficiary Empowerment

April 14, 2026

The Chief Executive Officer of Uwezo Fund, Peter Lengapiani, today held a strategic engagement meeting with a delegation from Consolidated Bank of Kenya led by its CEO, Murage Njagagua, at Lonrho House.

The high-level meeting aimed at strengthening Government-to-Government (G2G) collaboration, with a focus on enhancing service delivery and expanding opportunities for Uwezo Fund beneficiaries across the country.

Discussions centred on potential collaboration across three transformative pillars designed to empower beneficiaries and streamline operations. These include; comprehensive insurance solutions through bancassurance, aimed at safeguarding beneficiary groups against unforeseen risks; financial literacy and investment programmes to enhance decision-making capacity and promote sustainable capital growth; and labour mobility and global collections frameworks to improve loan recovery from beneficiaries working abroad through secure, employer-linked systems.

Speaking during the meeting, Mr. Lengapiani emphasized that aligning resources under these pillars would enable the partnership to go beyond the provision of credit.

He noted that the collaboration seeks to build a holistic ecosystem that promotes financial security and sustainable economic growth for Kenyan youth, women, and persons with disabilities.

The engagement marks a significant step towards deepening institutional partnerships in support of inclusive economic empowerment and efficient financial service delivery.

The meeting was also attended by CPA Shadrack Indeche, Head of Finance and Accounts at Uwezo Fund. The Consolidated Bank delegation included Mr. Michael, Head of Bancassurance; Ms. Josephine Kioko, Head of Corporate Banking; and Mr. Wario, Corporate Banking Officer.
Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development-Kenya
Lengapiani Peter
Susan Auma Mang'eni Cbs
Government of Kenya Spokesperson

10/04/2026

UWEZO FUND , empowering groups of youths,women and Persons living with disabilities

Lengapiani Peter Micro and Small Enterprises Authority - MSEA Susan Auma Mang'eni Cbs Financial Inclusion Fund -Hustler Fund Government of Kenya Spokesperson Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development-Kenya State Department of Cooperatives

03/04/2026

02/04/2026

Today, the Uwezo Fund participated in the inaugural Busia Cross-Border Run held at Tanga Kona, Nambale.

Envisioned as an annual flagship event, the initiative aims to strengthen ties between communities hosting MSMEs along the Kenya–Uganda border while championing social and environmental causes and promoting economic empowerment.

In alignment with the Presidential Directive on National Tree Growing and the Fund's 2025/2026 work plan, the event featured a large-scale conservation drive.

A total of 30,000 tree seedlings were planted, marking a significant contribution to national efforts to expand tree cover and mitigate climate change.

The event drew a diverse gathering of Kenyan and Ugandan stakeholders, underscoring the importance of cross-border collaboration in fostering regional integration, youth engagement, and community development. Uwezo Fund’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive economic empowerment.

By supporting initiatives that integrate health, social cohesion, and climate action, the Fund continues to drive
community-led development that transcends borders.

Lengapiani Peter
Susan Auma Mang'eni Cbs
Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development-Kenya
Government of Kenya Spokesperson

01/04/2026

Today, Uwezo Fund participated in the Coffee Revitalization Sensitization Forum at Bahati Grounds, Nakuru County, presided over by Cabinet Secretary Hon. Dr. FCPA Wycliffe Oparanya.

The program highlighted on a strategic integration of financial inclusion into the national coffee agenda:

The Fund aligned its activities with the Ministry’s goal of restoring the coffee sector through strengthened cooperatives and sustainable farming.

The Fund leveraged the forum to provide youth, women, and PWDs with pathways to affordable financing, moving beyond basic farming into processing, aggregation, and marketing.

By providing interest-free and low-interest credit, the Fund aims to transform coffee farming into a viable business for marginalized groups, creating jobs and increasing rural household incomes.

This collaborative approach ensures that the coffee revitalization campaign is both technically sound and financially inclusive as it scales nationwide. Uwezo Fund team was led by CEO Mr. Peter Lengapiani MBS
Lengapiani Peter
Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development-Kenya
Micro and Small Enterprises Authority - MSEA
Financial Inclusion Fund -Hustler Fund
SACCO Times
Government of Kenya Spokesperson
Susan Auma Mang'eni Cbs