KAJIADO, Kenya, Feb 27 – Kajiado Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) are set to receive linkage support as well as other opportunities through a new deal with the state.
Called ‘Mashinani Sensitization Initiative’, the program is spearheaded by the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs through the state department of MSME development.
The one-week sensitization forum was launched by the Principal Secretary State Department for MSMEs, Susan Mang’eni, at the Shapashina Stadium, Oloitokitok, Kajiado South Constituency, yesterday.
“It is my hope that these sensitization forums will inform the State department on innovative ways to circumvent the social, cultural and environmental issues facing our small business communities and further deepen our cooperation in supporting Kenyan enterprises,” said PS Mang’eni.
The PS implored the Kajiado South constituency citizens to work closely with the Government in their specific value chains to maximise the unique potential of enterprise.
She said the Government has already set up cool storage facilities in Meru, Nyandarua and Kisii targeting potatoes and banana farmers.
The Ministry will explore avenues of setting up a cold storage in Kimana ward for tomato value addition and to address the post-harvest losses experienced in the area.
Speaking during the launch, MSEA Chief Executive Officer Henry Rithaa encouraged all registered and formalized groups and associations to take advantage of the Constituency Industrial Development Centres (CIDCs) in Kajiado County, as well as the Kimana CIDCs, which are closer to the town centre.
He encouraged the residents to take advantage of the information shared about various government inventions and projects and especially the upcoming National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement Project (NYOTA) project that will grant youths Ksh 50k for business start-ups.
Ritha called upon them to utilize the CIDCs to access common user machinery, value addition of their products, aggregates, and links to certification agencies for their products in order to improve product quality and standards in readiness for the markets.
At the event, cheques were issued by the Uwezo Fund to over 20 groups and associations involved in various economic activities in the constituency.
MSEA is also expected to issue car wash, welding machines and car diagnostics equipment to various groups in Kimana Constituency Industrial Development Centre.
The agencies will then engage in interactive capacity building programs in Rombo, Kimana, Kuku, Entonet, and Mbirikani Wards.
The multi-agency capacity building programme will integrate various subjects that support MSMEs development in the constituency, such as training and capacity building, and technology adoption.
Others are access to affordable finance and credit, the acquisition and modernization of infrastructure, creating market linkages, and the utilization of e-commerce.
These efforts will go a long way in boosting the growth and scaling the impact of MSMEs and graduating them to the next level.
The multi-agency agencies present were Uwezo Fund, Micro Small Enterprise Authority, and Kenya Industrial Estate.
