Kwale Governor Achani's exclusive tenders to women, youth

Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has directed all 10 county government departments to award development project contracts exclusively to registered companies for women and youth.

Ms Achani said the move was aimed at tackling runaway unemployment and reducing poverty levels across the region.

The contracts cover projects such as the construction of dispensaries, Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centres, the extension of water pipelines and the cleaning of urban areas that include Diani, Kwale, Kinango and Lunga Lunga municipalities.

“We have been building ECDE centres, dispensaries, roads, among other projects across the county, and that’s why we said women and youth should form companies. I am thankful that the majority of these projects are being done by our local companies,” said Achani.

She said the issuing of county project tenders to women and youth companies has generated employment opportunities for hundreds of women and youths in Kwale and that this will be intensified.

“I have been telling people to form companies for self-employment. The county can no longer hire everyone. So, we must find alternative ways to create employment opportunities,” added Achani.

Some of the women and youth companies that have received tenders include Samburu-Chengoni Women Company, Khairat Women Limited (Macknon), Waridi Young Mothers Limited (Ndavaya), Tunusuru Women Company (Ramisi) and Wyzata FC in Msambweni Sub County.

Riziki Mwasoza, Kwale County Chief Officer for Social Services and Talent Management, noted that most of the county's residents relied on farming, livestock rearing, fishing and tourism for their livelihoods, but climate change severely affected these sectors, forcing residents to resort to small businesses to survive.

“Women and youth, in particular, face significant economic hardships despite being members of village savings and credit groups (VSALAs). Through the issuance of tenders, we have helped our mothers break free from the chains of being mere housewives,” said Mwasoza.

Sale Makata and Sophia Mohammed from Pamvan Women Investment Company in Vanga, Lunga Lunga Sub County, said life has improved since they were awarded a county tender worth Sh1.4 million to supply foodstuffs to the Kombani drug rehabilitation centre.

“When we were in VSALAs, we could save the whole year but end up having little savings, but we can now make a million shillings plus in just one tender,” said Makata.

Mr Hussein Chigulu said Governor Achani's new directive to award project contracts to women and youth marked a new economic chapter, as they expected to make more money for their companies.

“We at Mackinnon Road CBO decided to form our own company. We are thankful; this is our first project. We are now responsible for pipeline extension up to the Vinyunduni village. We are going to earn our own money and educate our children,” said Chigulu.

Achani urged youth, women, and persons living with disabilities (PWDs) to register more companies to secure tenders from the government and private sector.