President William Ruto has unveiled plans for a new financial empowerment program targeting single mothers and women across Kenya, as part of his administration’s broader agenda to promote inclusivity and economic independence.
Speaking during the burial of Weston Kirocho, father to Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, in Thome, Laikipia County, the President said the initiative will be integrated into the Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO) framework.
Ruto: 600,000 Women to Benefit from Business Training
President Ruto revealed that the government plans to train 600,000 women — particularly single mothers — to help them start, manage, and grow small businesses and access government tenders.
“We want single mothers and all women to come forward. We are looking to train 600,000 of them, either through the national or county governments, to help them run successful businesses and become more economically independent,” he said.
The Head of State emphasized that the program aims to boost women’s participation in government procurement, which has traditionally been dominated by male-led enterprises.
Focus on Training and Business Development
While President Ruto did not clarify whether beneficiaries will receive direct cash support, he noted that the initial phase will prioritize capacity building, mentorship, and entrepreneurship training.
According to government insiders, the upcoming initiative will complement existing programs under Hustler Fund, Women Enterprise Fund, and Uwezo Fund, all designed to strengthen grassroots economic growth.
Implementation Details to Be Announced
The President said more details on the structure and rollout of the program will be revealed in the coming weeks, with coordination expected between the Ministry of Gender, Culture, the Arts and Heritage, and county governments.
Ruto reiterated his administration’s commitment to empowering women, noting that economic inclusion remains central to Kenya’s Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda (BETA).
“Our focus is to ensure no Kenyan woman is left behind in the journey of economic empowerment,” he affirmed.
Background: AGPO and Women’s Economic Empowerment
The AGPO program, launched in 2013, reserves 30% of government tenders for youth, women, and persons with disabilities. However, many women have cited challenges such as lack of training, limited access to credit, and bureaucratic bottlenecks that hinder their participation.
Ruto’s new initiative seeks to bridge those gaps by providing targeted training, mentorship, and access to government contracts, particularly for single mothers and informal traders.
