The Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, in collaboration with the State Department for MSME Development, has launched a multi-agency sensitisation programme dubbed ‘Mashinani Sensitization initiative’.
The initiative was unveiled in partnership with Kajiado South Constituency Member of Parliament, Samuel Sakimba and key officials from the County Government and various development partners.
Speaking during the launch on Tuesday, MSMEs PS Susan Mang’eni expressed optimism about the potential of the initiative to address pertinent issues faced by small business communities.
‘It is my hope that this sensitization forum 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.
Sakimba said the programme will unlock the potential of all the groups in the constituency and empower them to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the multi agencies to enhance their skills and entrepreneurship acumen.
The launch of the sensitization forum saw tangible support for local MSMEs, with Uwezo Fund issuing cheques to over 20 groups and associations engaged in various economic activities within the constituency.
Additionally, the Micro Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) provided essential work tools and machinery, including car wash equipment, welding machines, and car diagnostics equipment, to groups at the Kimana Constituency Industrial Development Centre (CIDC).
MSEA Chief Executive Officer, Henry Rithaa, urged registered and formalized groups to leverage CIDCs to access common-use machinery, enhance product value addition, and establish linkages with certification agencies, thereby improving product quality and standards for market readiness.
The multi-agency capacity building programme will integrate various subjects that support MSMEs development in the constituency such as training and capacity building, technology adoption, access to affordable finance/credit, acquisition/modernization of infrastructure creating market linkages and utilization of e-commerce.
