By TCD TEAM
Kitui Senatorial hopeful and County Executive Committee Member for Agriculture and Livestock, Stephen Mbaya Kimwele, has strengthened his development record after overseeing the disbursement of a KSh 7 million matching grant to agricultural SACCOs in Mwingi North Sub-County.
The funds were allocated to ward-based SACCOs in Kyuso and Ngomeni wards, targeting farmer groups to enhance access to affordable credit and improve agricultural productivity.
The initiative, implemented under the National Agricultural Value Chain Development Project (NAVCDP), saw five SACCOs benefit in the first phase, with expectations of wider rollout across the county.
Speaking during the exercise, Dr. Kimwele said the grant is not a loan but a strategic financial support mechanism aimed at strengthening SACCO capacity and long-term sustainability. He noted that the funding will enable cooperatives to extend affordable credit to farmers engaged in value chain activities such as production, aggregation, processing, and marketing.
The programme aligns with the development agenda of Kitui Governor Julius Malombe, which prioritizes empowering farmers through improved access to financial services, particularly for Common Interest Groups (CIGs) and Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups (VMGs).
Dr. Kimwele observed that many smallholder farmers continue to face high borrowing costs, describing the ward-based SACCO model as a practical solution to bridge financing gaps at the grassroots.
He added that the initiative reflects the county government’s broader commitment under the The Kitui Promise to strengthen farmer institutions and drive inclusive agricultural transformation.
The disbursement is expected to significantly boost rural livelihoods, with farmers set to benefit from increased access to capital, improved productivity, and enhanced market participation.
