Thika women, youth groups gifted posho mills to help reduce cost of maize flour, beat poverty

Ahadi Kenya and Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency have provided posho mills to various self-help groups in Thika, Kiambu County, in a bid to reduce the soaring cost of maize flour and ultimately help impoverished communities beat the high cost of living.

The cluster groups comprising youth and women received the empowerment tools which are expected to help them start income-generating activities by selling maize in the villages to beat poverty.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s spouse Tessie Mudavadi, speaking during the handing over event, revealed that the initiative was meant to complement the government agenda of creating jobs for the youths.

She insisted on the need for the youth and women to form cluster groups and seek various forms of government funds to enable them start income-generating activities for better lives.

“I urge you women and youth to join the Women Enterprise Fund and Youth Enterprise Development Fund. The government is here to walk with us and is not our enemy. Join the funds and stand to benefit,” she said.

“The donation is not just an act of goodwill, it is an investment in the well-being of the future of the community. It is a reminder that when we come together and support one another, we can make a profound difference in our communities.”

According to Ahadi Kenya CEO Stanley Kamau, the donation will also go a long way in aiding the fight against substance, drug and alcohol use which has become rampant in most parts of Mt Kenya region.

Mr. Kamau urged the youth to keep off alcohol and drugs saying it will make them less productive and irresponsible in society.

He stated that the project will support the poor who are struggling to stay afloat with the skyrocketing cost of living.

The CEO also called on Kenyans to work towards supporting the government by engaging in meaningful empowerment programs that can change lives for the better.

“We want to make sure we provide quality, nutritious and cheap maize flour to our community. We can complain about the high prices of food and government but what have you done as an individual or institution to compliment the government in achieving its mandate?” He posed.

On her part, Thika MP Alice Ng’ang’a quipped that the posho mills are equipped with electricity and diesel engines and all standard accessories, adding that they will be able to process maize and other grains such as sorghum and millet, and help supplement residents’ nutrition.

The lawmaker stated that the project aims at providing the groups with a means of generating income, thereby creating a circle of the economy within the maize value chain creating a sustainable market for maize and other grains and contributing towards the creation of jobs for women and the youth.

“This is a part of the Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda and we are going to walk together in lifting the lives of our people from the bottom upwards,” said the MP.

Her sentiments were echoed by Turkish Cooperation and Coordination Agency County Director Yasemin Cansuz who said the initiative will be expanded to reach youth and women groups for posterity.

“For now, this is just seven posho mills but I know it will be very impactful to these immediate self-help groups and it’s my honour that the gift from the Turkish people was heartful,” she said. 

The beneficiaries also received 50 and 90kg bags of maize as a startup to kickstart their businesses.