Isiolo, Kenya| A new chapter in poverty alleviation and economic inclusion opened in Isiolo County began on Friday with the official launch of the Kuza Jamii Phase II Programme, a Ksh44,044,000 initiative aimed at transforming the lives of thousands of vulnerable families through economic empowerment, business growth, and stronger social protection.
Fully funded by the UK Government through the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), the programme builds on the achievements of its first phase and is designed to reach even the most marginalized and remote communities across the county.
The initiative will cover all corners of Isiolo, with activities rolled out across Bulapesa, Burat, Wabera, Ngaremara, Cherab, Chari, Garbatulla, Oldonyiro, and Sericho wards.
This wide geographic scope ensures that both urban and peri-urban residents, as well as families in far-flung pastoralist areas, benefit equally, leaving no one behind.
At its core, Kuza Jamii II focuses on three main areas. First, it promotes economic inclusion by providing start-up grants, business training, mentorship, and market linkages to micro-entrepreneurs and village savings and loan associations.
Second, it applies a proven graduation approach for the ultra-poor, combining consumption support, asset transfers, skills training, and ongoing coaching to help the poorest households achieve lasting self-reliance.
Third, it strengthens Isiolo’s own social protection systems by improving coordination, data management, and the ability to respond quickly to shocks such as drought.
The programme is being delivered through a strong partnership between Isiolo County Government and a consortium of trusted organisations that includes CHASP (Community Health and Sustainable Development Programme), Village Enterprise, GENCAD Kenya, the Social Responsibility Consortium (SRC), and Echo Network Africa.
All partners have pledged full commitment to transparency, community ownership, and measurable, long-term results.
Early estimates suggest the initiative will directly support more than 8,000 vulnerable households, while ripple benefits to tens of thousands more through stronger local markets and economies, and help break cycles of intergenerational poverty.
By blending internationally recognised graduation models with locally owned social protection improvements, Kuza Jamii II aligns closely with Kenya’s Vision 2030, the national Big Four Agenda, and Isiolo’s County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP 2023–2027).
Residents who attended the launch expressed hope that the programme will reduce reliance on emergency relief, create dignified jobs, and nurture a new wave of entrepreneurs in one of Kenya’s most arid and historically underserved counties.
With climate shocks continuing to threaten pastoralist livelihoods, initiatives like Kuza Jamii II are widely regarded as essential for building resilient, inclusive, and sustainable growth across Kenya’s arid and semi-arid lands.
Implementation is now underway, with beneficiary registration and the first rounds of business training scheduled to begin in early 2026.
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