Youths demand friendly loan terms

Youths in Mombasa county have asked the county government to loosen conditions to accessing business loans.

Speaking to Jumuiya News in Mombasa on Friday during a Post Covid-19 Recovery Intervention training, Evelyne Otieno, from Kadzandani ward Mombasa county said the procedures are too stringent hindering youths in accessing the loans.

“The procedures and policies do not favour us. There is a need for the county government to do something about this. Most of us cannot get the loans even if we apply,” said Evelyne.

The youth wants the national government to extend the term for the Kazi Mtaani program.

According to Otieno, crime will increase should the government fail to extend the program.

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She says most of the youths have lost their jobs since the confirmation of the first case of Covid-19 in the country.

“I used to sell over thirty pairs of shoes but currently I only sell less than 15 pairs.

Evelyne points out that she was forced to close the business following the intercounty lockdown in the Coast region.

Meanwhile, Bobson Fadhili said the knowledge gained will enable him to revive his collapsed business.

“Youth lost jobs during the first wave of Covid-19.

They called on the national government to extend the Kazi Mtaani program in a bid to reduce the crime rate within the country.

At the same time, Dream Achievers Youth Organization program coordinator Enos Opiyo asked the youths to grab the opportunity adding that it is an eye-opener to their collapsed businesses.

Opiyo states that thousands of youths lost their jobs during the first wave of Covid-19.

“I want to ask youths to embrace the initiative with a lot of seriousness.

He adds that the project will ensure that the youths do not engage in crime.

The lobbyist notes that the six-day aims at equipping youths with good business ideas in a bid to address the challenge of unemployment.

“In these six days training which is split into two groups of 15 youths the beneficiaries will be trained on business training and financial literacy. We shall then link them up with mentors and other business opportunities,” said Opiyo.

The project is funded by the Kenya Community development Foundation in partnership with the Kenya community development foundation.

The six days business training project dubbed ‘Fufua Biashara Project’ brought together 30 youths in Mombasa county.