Former has hailed Community-Based Financial Services Associations (FSAs) for playing a critical role in transforming lives and fighting poverty across Kitui County through accessible and affordable financial services.
Speaking during the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Ikutha Financial Services Association held in Ikutha Ward, Kitui South Sub-County, Ngilu said the grassroots financial institutions have become lifelines for many families and small businesses struggling under the current economic hardships facing the country.
She noted that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) have immensely benefited from the financial solutions offered by the community FSAs, enabling traders and entrepreneurs to sustain and grow their businesses despite the challenging economic environment.
The well-attended AGM brought together members drawn from Ikutha, Kasaala, Kanziku, Kyoani, Kyandula, Muangeni, Kalivu, Athi, Timboni, Maluma and Kibwezi regions, highlighting the growing influence and reach of the Ikutha FSA within the region.
Ngilu commended the association’s leadership and members for their commitment to financial empowerment and community development, saying the success of such initiatives demonstrates the power of locally-driven economic solutions.
After the AGM, members of Ikutha FSA celebrated the achievement of their annual financial goals by cutting a cake in a joyous ceremony attended by members and local leaders.
In a light moment that excited the gathering, members requested the former governor to personally serve them cake, a request she said she gladly accepted “with love and affection.”
“Iliweza sana,” Ngilu remarked as celebrations and entertainment marked the end of the successful annual meeting.
The event underscored the growing importance of community-based financial institutions in enhancing financial inclusion and supporting economic resilience at the grassroots level in Kitui County.
