By Adan Mohamed - Reporter
December 8 2025 - The State Department for Social Protection and Senior Citizens Affairs, through its Directorate of Social Development, has launched the Kuza Jamii II Joint Monitoring Grants aimed at uplifting vulnerable households across Mandera County.
A total of KSh 60 million has been allocated for the programme, with KSh 40 million disbursed under Phase One, while the remaining KSh 20 million will be released in January 2026.
More than 2,000 households across the county will benefit under the Economic Inclusion Programme (EIP).
The grants are expected to support small businesses, strengthen savings and loan groups, and help households build stable and sustainable income sources.
Additionally, 685 business groups, each comprising three members, and five cooperatives in Mandera East, Mandera South, Kutulo, and Khalalio sub-counties will receive support.
The initiative, funded by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), is part of a wider effort to reduce poverty and strengthen economic resilience among vulnerable communities.
Launching the grant, Dr Lynette Ochuma, Ag Secretary and Directorate of Social Development, said the programme would transform livelihoods across the county.
“This grant will play a critical role in boosting local businesses, empowering vulnerable families, and enhancing long-term economic resilience across the four targeted sub-counties,” she said.
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Dr Ochuma assured residents that the government remains committed to scaling up such programmes to reach even more vulnerable households.
“More grants will come, and we want our people, especially women, to take full advantage of these opportunities so they can become self-sufficient and empowered,” she added.
The Kuza Jamii programme builds on a decade of progress in Kenya’s social protection landscape, including the Hunger Safety Net Programme (HSNP), which introduced the country’s first large-scale poverty graduation model in arid regions.
Kuza Jamii II aims to help extremely poor households graduate from poverty and achieve long-term resilience under a sustainable, nationally led system.
Mandera Deputy Governor Dr Ali Maalim, who also attended the launch, emphasised the county’s commitment to investing in economic empowerment.
“Empowering Mandera residents with skills, tools, and supportive economic structures lays the foundation for long-term prosperity and self-reliance,” he said.
He further noted that the county government has allocated several revolving funds in the current budget to enhance access to business financing and promote financial inclusion among local entrepreneurs.
The Kuza Jamii II project is expected to significantly strengthen household resilience, promote self-reliance, and uplift thousands of residents from extreme poverty through entrepreneurship, savings groups, cooperatives, and inclusive economic participation.
