KEMFSED grants to common interest groups for community projects have reached just over Sh1.5 billion for 671 community projects.
This was after President William Ruto on November 2023, presented a cheque for Sh691 million for common interest groups spread across Kilifi, Mombasa, Kwale, Tana River, and Lamu counties.
The President presented the cheque at Shimoni in Kwale where he broke the ground for the construction of a fishing port. The Head of State also presented the Sh160.1 million cheque for Kwale directly to representatives of beneficiary groups.
The latest grants were distributed as follows:
- Mombasa – Sh245,729,602.25
- Kwale – Sh160,115,777
- Kilifi – Sh91,231,688
- Tana River – Sh184,079,289
- Lamu – Sh9,845,600.
KEMFSED grants are implemented under the Enhanced Livelihoods for Coastal Communities initiative, which is part of Component 2 of the project.
The grants are provided to organized Common Interest Groups (CIGs) to which the project has provided technical support to implement sub-projects to complement income from fisheries, improve social welfare and protect the marine environment.
These projects include income-generating or livelihood activities, environmental conservation and social projects as well as scholarships for students from low-income households.
The grants are awarded to common interest groups (CIGs) that include women’s and youth self-help groups and community-based organizations (CBOs).
Most of the groups that received grants in the first round of funding have started implementing their community projects.
Group projects for livelihoods include indigenous poultry, dairy, goat and rabbit farming, beekeeping, horticulture, and mariculture to soap-making and other small and micro-enterprises.
There are also environmental projects like mangrove forest restoration while social projects include classrooms in local schools and water supply.
The award of grants follows a rigorous Participatory Integrated Community Development process (PICD) involving a team comprising national government, county governments, community representatives, and other stakeholders.
