Businesses in the United States benefitted from interventions laid by the American government to cushion struggling businesses during the pandemic.
The US was one of the nations profoundly stricken nations by the pandemic with more than 6.5 million confirmed cases by September 2020. President Joe Biden upon assumption of office rolled out loans and aids to support businesses.
Jane Kagira, a Kenyan woman who operates a restaurant in Seattle, Washington was among the foreigners who used the loans to resuscitate their businesses.
In an interview with Cham’s Media, Kagira, stated that she received a cumulative amount of over Ksh20,000,000 in loans and grants.
“At first, I got Ksh1,181,500 ($10,000), then the money rose to Ksh1.2 million, Ksh5 million and then Ksh15 million. I was also given ample time to offset the loans.
"For the aids, I wasn't required to pay back.
Kagira is among many Kenyans running businesses in the United States.
She offers Kenyan meals like fish, chapati, and githeri among others.
Like many other Kenyans, the entrepreneur imports spices and ingredients from Kenya every time she travels back home.
Her restaurant helps bring together the Kenyan community residing in Washington and the USA at large.
"I was featured in your previous feature and every time Kenyans visit the US, they pass by my restaurant saying that they saw me on TV," Kagira told celebrated media personality, Alex Chamwada.
"Nonetheless, we have to wear masks here, supply sanitizers and no one can enter here without a vaccination card," she added.
Kagira has been living in the US since the 1990s when she started working as a caregiver.
