By:Betty Luke
A section of Mombasa County Assembly Trade and Tourism members. PHOTO/Courtesy
Mombasa MCAs have called for improved awareness on the usage of the Revolving Fund Board online application warning that it could lock out beneficiaries from access the fund.
The Trade and Tourism Committee said the online application system, although designed to make access to the fund more efficient, could disadvantage residents who may struggle to navigate digital platforms.
The committee wants the county to provide additional support at the ward level to guide potential beneficiaries through the application process.
During a meeting with the Revolving Fund Board, the committee called for easier accessibility to the platform noting the platform should not bar residents from benefiting.
The committee also called for increased public sensitisation to ensure residents understand who qualifies, the requirements they need to meet and how applications should be submitted.
The fund targets traders, youth, women, persons with disabilities, savings and credit co-operative societies, beach management units, boda boda operators and tuk-tuk operators allowing them access funds to boost their businesses.
However, the MCAs proposed that implementation should begin with Biashara Mtaani groups before being extended to the other targeted beneficiaries.
Members said starting with one category would allow the county to test the system, identify challenges and make adjustments before expanding the programme.
Trade and Tourism Committee chairman Abdirahman Hussein said successful implementation would require close cooperation among the Revolving Fund Board, the County Assembly and relevant county departments.
“The success of this programme will depend on coordination between the Board, the Assembly and the relevant departments. We must ensure that the people who are supposed to benefit can actually access the fund,” Hussein said.
The committee maintained that it was not seeking to abandon the online application platform but wanted the county to put in place measures to make it more accessible.
Also present at the meeting were officials from the Revolving Fund Board, led by chairman Samuel Omondi Okech and CEO Munira Hamisi among other board members.
