Kajiado women turn to savings, financial literacy to grow small businesses

The initiative, run by Global Give Back Circle in partnership with Equity, is equipping women with skills in money management, business development, marketing and enterprise planning to help them grow their incomes and establish sustainable livelihoods.

Among the beneficiaries is Seeyian Karei, a Maasai National Polytechnic student who sells beads and fashion items as she pursues her ambition of building a career in fashion and design.

Karei says she wants to improve how she manages her earnings, save towards expanding her business and establish a financial record that could help her qualify for credit.

“Instead of receiving money and keeping it in my bag, I will channel it into my bank account and use the knowledge I have gained to grow my business. I hope to build a financial profile that will help me access credit,” she said.

Jane Isaya, a mother of three who belongs to a local women's table-banking group, is also looking to expand her economic opportunities by opening a retail shop in her village.

She plans to save towards setting up the business before seeking additional financing to grow it.

The two are among women engaged in activities ranging from beadwork and dairy farming to small-scale trading, who are looking to turn their earnings into more sustainable businesses.

The programme also targets students in technical institutions and women whose education was interrupted by financial constraints or early marriages.

Dr Mwende Munuve, Chief of Programs at Global Give Back Circle, said financial services alone were insufficient to guarantee lasting economic empowerment.

“Women also need the confidence, business skills and cooperative networks to build sustainable sources of income,” she said.

Charity Nkirote Munyori, Senior Manager for Women and Youth Banking at Equity, said the programme would provide financial education before assessing participants' businesses for possible financing.

“Through financial education, they will learn how to generate business ideas, grow their enterprises, market their products and manage their money. Once they complete the training, we will assess their cash flows and support those who need financing to expand their businesses,” she said.

The approach is intended to help participants understand how to manage their earnings, identify business opportunities, build savings and prepare their enterprises for potential financing.

Tete Irene, Kajiado County Director of Social Services, said the initiative complemented efforts to improve economic opportunities for women, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“Women in this county play a pivotal role in raising families and running businesses. Empowering them means a great deal for their dignity, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Teaching them how to invest and grow their businesses is a noble course,” she said.

The remarks were made in Isinya during an empowerment event organised for the participants.

The programme comes amid wider efforts to expand financial inclusion in Kenya. By June 30, 2026, Equity Group Foundation's Enterprise Development and Financial Inclusion pillar had reached 2,495,441 women and young people through financial literacy programmes under Financial Inclusion for Africa and Young Africa Works Kenya.

For participants such as Karei and Isaya, the immediate priority is to translate the skills they acquire into better financial management, increased savings and business expansion.

Their ambitions reflect the challenges facing small-scale entrepreneurs who need not only reliable income but also the financial knowledge and resources to build enterprises capable of supporting their families over the long term.