Kwale Governor Fatuma Achani has ordered all 10 county departments to award development project contracts exclusively to companies owned by women and youth. The directive, which spans key devolved functions including health, agriculture, education, social services, and roads, aims to curb unemployment and alleviate poverty across the county.

The projects under this initiative include the construction of dispensaries and Early Childhood Development Education (ECDE) centers, expansion of water pipelines, and urban sanitation in areas such as Diani, Kwale, Kinango, and Lunga Lunga.

Governor Achani revealed that over 300 women- and youth-led companies have been registered with the county government, and 105 of them have already secured contracts for various projects such as water borehole drilling and supply of government equipment.

“We have been building ECDE centers, dispensaries, roads, among other projects across the county, and that’s why we encouraged women and youth to form companies,” said Achani. “I’m thankful that the majority of these projects are now being executed by local firms.”

She emphasized that empowering local companies has provided employment to hundreds of residents, particularly among women and youth.

“I’ve always urged people to form companies as a path to self-employment,” she added. “The county can’t hire everyone, so we must embrace alternative economic models to create opportunities.”

Some of the companies that have benefited from the tenders include Samburu-Chengoni Women Company in Samburu Ward, Khairat Women Limited Company in Mackinnon, Waridi Young Mothers Limited Company in Ndavaya, Tunusuru Women Company in Ramisi, and Wyzata FC in Msambweni Sub-county.

Riziki Mwasoza, the County Chief Officer for Social Services and Talent Management, explained that climate change has disrupted traditional economic activities such as farming, fishing, livestock rearing, and tourism—pushing many residents into informal jobs.

“Women and youth have been economically vulnerable, even though many are part of savings and credit groups,” Mwasoza said. “Through tenders, we’re helping mothers move beyond traditional domestic roles.”

Sale Makata and Sophia Mohammed from Pamvan Women Investment Company in Vanga, Lunga Lunga Sub-county, shared how their fortunes changed after receiving a KSh 1.4 million contract to supply food to the Kombani Drug Rehabilitation Centre.

“When we were in VSALAs, we would save for an entire year and end up with very little. Today, we’re making over a million from a single tender,” said Makata.

Hussein Chigulu of Mackinnon Road Community-Based Organization (CBO) said the new directive has enabled them to earn independently and support their families.

“We decided to form our own company. This is our first project—extending water pipelines to Vinyunduni. We are now earning and educating our children,” he said.

As the county government continues to empower local communities through contract issuance, Governor Achani encouraged more women, youth, and persons with disabilities to register companies in order to access both public and private sector tenders.