Kenya Women Finance Trust will advance Sh1 billion in loans to women and youth groups in the North Rift region.

The organisation's North rift regional manager George Kinyanjui said that funding of the groups that fall under the programme would begin in August. He was speaking when he officially launched the Turkana field office in Lodwar town.

Mr Kinyanjui said that Sh200 million will be distributed to women and a further Sh140 million to youth groups in the entire North rift region.

"Women and youth groups in Turkana districts are among the groups to benefits from the funding," he said.

The manager said the organisation together with the Government will advance loans at an interest of eight per cent to the groups in order to promote regional small-scale enterprises.

He added that health insurance cover and personal accident cover policies will also be provided to members.

Increased welfare

Meanwhile the Government has increased welfare funds for orphans and vulnerable children from Shs159 million during the last financial year to Shs569 million this year, secretary for children affairs in the ministry of Gender and children Prof Jackline Oduol said on Tuesday.

Prof Oduol said the increment of Sh410 million was to help scale up the number of districts to benefit from the kitty from the current 30 to 40.