By Faith Anene, Vihiga
The government has launched a nationwide campaign to take support services and opportunities for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) closer to entrepreneurs at the grassroots.
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development Wycliffe Oparanya launched the MSME Countrywide Sensitisation Drive at Mbale Municipal Grounds in Vihiga County, bringing together entrepreneurs, farmers and government agencies to discuss programmes, financing opportunities and other services available to small businesses.
Oparanya said the initiative would assess the impact of government programmes, particularly the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project, since its launch.
“This is a programme we have started here in Vihiga to assess the situation since the President launched the NYOTA project and establish how small traders, in particular, have been able to grow and develop through the programme,” Oparanya said.
He said about 15 experts from different sectors had been deployed to explain government programmes to entrepreneurs and help them understand how they could access available opportunities.
“The government has intervened to ensure that these institutions put in place appropriate strategies so that small businesses, especially those at the grassroots, can benefit,” ~ Oparanya
The CS said the government planned to spend more than Sh200 million on sensitization and mobilisation of traders and farmers at the grassroots.
Oparanya said lack of information remained a barrier for some small-scale traders seeking affordable credit, despite the existence of government programmes and financial institutions offering loans.
“The government has intervened to ensure that these institutions put in place appropriate strategies so that small businesses, especially those at the grassroots, can benefit,” he said.
He also urged entrepreneurs to prepare for heavy rains expected during the El Niño weather conditions, warning that businesses should take measures to protect their property, equipment and investments.
Oparanya called for closer cooperation between the national and county governments to minimise disruptions and losses that could affect traders during the rainy season.
MSEA Director General Rithaa, who accompanied the CS, said the authority was taking its services closer to entrepreneurs through partnerships with county governments and other agencies.
Rithaa said the NYOTA project had supported 2,019 beneficiaries in Vihiga, with disbursements totalling Sh92.1 million.
He said the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) project had also supported two clusters in the county — the Vihiga County Micro and Small Enterprises Association in construction and Inua Village Textile Industry Limited in textiles.
Beneficiaries of the two programmes shared their experiences during the forum, highlighting how government support had contributed to improving their livelihoods and businesses.
Rithaa said MSEA was also supporting artisans through Constituency Industrial Development Centres in Luanda, Manyatta and Hamisi.
The centres support trades including tinsmithing, welding, carpentry, tailoring, motor vehicle mechanics, leatherwork, baking, soap making and agribusiness.
The authority has also supplied salon and leatherwork equipment to seven enterprises drawn from the centres, he said.
“MSEA will continue to take its services closer to entrepreneurs, working with county governments and partner agencies to scale their growth,” Rithaa said.
The event brought together MSEA officials, board members and chief executives of government agencies involved in the MSME ecosystem, who provided information and responded to queries from entrepreneurs.
For many small traders in Vihiga, the launch highlighted persistent challenges including access to capital, equipment, skills and markets.
Vihiga Women Representative Beatrice Adagala said the real test would be whether the programmes reach entrepreneurs who need them most.
She called on government agencies to move beyond sensitization meetings and take information and support directly to communities, helping business owners understand available opportunities, meet eligibility requirements and turn government support into sustainable enterprises.
“Our people do not need programmes that only exist on paper. They need support that reaches them where they live and work, helps them grow their businesses and opens doors to better markets. That is how we will know this drive is making a difference in Vihiga,” Adagala said.
