Players in the Micro and Small Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in the country will have a reason to smile once the MSMEs Amendment Bill and MSMEs Act come into actualization.
This will ensure legal framework and a better policies towards boosting the sector.
The policy aims to improve regulatory frameworks, affordable credit and financial access.
This will in turn foster enterpreneurship culture, market linkages, infrastructural support, capacity building, emerging issues i.e. social inclusion, value chain, climate change and formalization of MSEs.
Already the State Department for MSMEs Development, in partnership with Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), International Labour Organization(ILO), GIZ, and other partners, have commenced stakeholder engagement on the same.
Speaking on Thursday April 24, 2025 during the forum in Nakuru, representative of State Department of MSMEs’ Development Mr. Daniel Mathenge was categorical that the Bill and the Act once reviewed will go a long way in addressing challenges that MSMEs have been facing in the country.
Mathenge reiterated the commitment of Government on matters promoting MSMEs hence the news for the review of the legal framework.
According to him, the draft document captures all the challenges facing the sector and is now being subjected to public participation in line with the constitution.
He cited innovation in business, capacity building, accessibility of finances, emerging issues in climate change, technology, disaster and resilience in business as some of the key issues in the document.
The public participation engagement started on April 23 and is ongoing in all the 47 counties and is expected by end of June the process shall be over and a functional policy will be in place and the Act will be reviewed to be in line with the new policy before implementation once approved.
“As a government we are committed to have legal framework towards operationalization of MSMEs. As a country we know this will be key in boosting the sector,” he stated.
Nakuru East Senior Deputy County Commissioner Mr Were Simiyu who also attended the forum representing County Commissioner Loyford Kibara, lauded the move that he said will address challenges in the sector and ensure economic growth.
While noting that the process will help empower entrepreneurship, the DCC called on all stakeholders to come out and give their views on the document.
“I want to give the assurance that all the views of stakeholders will be incorporated in the final document. Let every stakeholder give their views without any discrimination,” he stated.
The meeting brought together stakeholders from MSME sector drawn from Nakuru, Kericho, Narok, Bomet, Samburu and Nyandarua counties.
Nakuru county has already reiterated commitment towards supporting the sector.
This was affirmed by Mr. Amos Koech from Trade department who revealed that the County government under the leadership of Governor Susan Kihika, will domesticate the MSMEs Policy pillars to build a sustainable MSEs sector.
“We are glad to be part of the stakeholders and as a county we shall be domesticating the policy. Already as a county we are providing affordable finances to small enterprises and cooperatives besides capacity building the MSMEs so that they can grow and increase the value in our county,” he said.
Secretary General Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Sector Nakuru Chapter Ms Asumpta Wangui called on government to ensure the financing of businesses and the percentage rates or interests.
She added that the issues of contract should be addressed too.
According to Wangui, the Board for the sector should also have a member of the MSMEs.
“The MSMEs policy is not bad but we have issues that we dill should be addressed and through the Public Participation we believe will be addressed,” she noted.
Irene Omogi from GIZ on her part lauded the partnership between GIZ and Ministry in promoting MSMEs towards more competitive, productive in building the economy.
A survey done in 2016, revealed that MSMEs contribute upto 33% of Kenya’s GDP.
