Youth fund should offer grants and ease loan requirements – Mbakera

Parliamentary standing committee on education, youth, civic relations and community development chairperson Marlayn Mbakera has called for the National Youth Development Fund to introduce grant funding alongside loans and review its application requirements to enable more young people to benefit.

Speaking during the committee’s oversight visit to Omuthiya on Friday, Mbakera said many aspiring entrepreneurs fail to qualify despite their willingness to participate in the programme.

“Most applicants are interested but struggle to meet all the requirements, such as a good credit score, clear ITC record and no history of banking defaults. The fund should consider introducing grants in addition to loans and review the selection criteria,” she said.