The Unclaimed Financial Assets Authority (UFAA) has launched the Wezesha Mjane programme, a funding initiative aimed at supporting NGOs, CBOs, foundations, and self-help groups that have been serving widows or widow-led households in Kenya for over three years. The programme seeks project proposals detailing the organisation’s mission, the proposed project, and the ways in which it will benefit widows and their communities.
Under the programme, two projects will receive funding of KSh 5 million each. In addition, a scholarship of KSh 500,000 will be awarded to the winning project to support a child from a low-income, widow-led household. The scholarship is specifically designated for the child’s secondary education and will be paid directly to the educational institution over the applicable study period. UFAA clarified that the scholarship is complementary to the winning project and is not a separate funding initiative.
Interested organisations are required to submit their proposals online via email. Applications must include the organisation’s registration certificate, constitution or articles of association, a list of members and committee members, the latest financial report, contact information, project duration and area, the amount requested, and a self-declaration confirming the absence of corrupt or fraudulent practices. All documents must be compiled into a single PDF file.
Separately, a recent Infotrak survey revealed high awareness of the NYOTA Fund among Kenyans, with 78% of respondents familiar with the initiative as a youth entrepreneurial pathway. Despite its recognition, a significant portion of the population considers the fund to be opaque, highlighting the need for greater transparency and communication regarding its operations.
