- Kakamega has set aside Ksh114 million for affordable loans to small businesses in 2026/2027
- Market committees will help identify beneficiaries, track repayments and strengthen accountability
- Traders have been urged to borrow responsibly through registered groups and use approved payment channels
Lugari traders have been sensitised on how to access affordable financing from the Kakamega County Government, with Ksh114 million allocated for the 2026/2027 financial year to support small businesses.
Governor Fernandes Barasa’s administration is rolling out the initiative as part of its commitment to empowering small businesses through affordable financing. Chief Officer for Trade, Faith Gitira, led other Kakamega County executives in a sensitisation meeting held in Lugari Sub-county, bringing together market chairpersons and administrators.
The meeting aimed to educate market leaders on the loan programme, including eligibility requirements and application procedures. Officials urged the market chairpersons to act as ambassadors of the initiative, taking the message back to traders in their respective markets.
Under the new lending model, market committees will play a central role. They will help identify beneficiaries, facilitate loan access and follow up on repayments through a revolving fund.
According to officials, the model is designed to strengthen accountability, promote responsible borrowing and make it easier to trace defaulters.
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Gitira described market leaders as a critical link between the County Government and traders. She urged them to resolve market disputes amicably, support revenue collection and steer clear of activities that could disrupt service delivery or the smooth running of markets.
She also announced plans for a new garbage collection model, under which service providers will be assigned to the Northern, Lower and Central regions to improve waste management in markets and trading centres across the county.
Additionally, the Kakamega County Government will review relevant legislation to consider providing stipends to market chairpersons, enabling them to carry out their duties more effectively.
County Microfinance CEO, Charles Oranga, urged traders to access affordable loans through registered groups, stressing that responsible borrowing and timely repayment would allow more traders to benefit from the revolving fund.
He reminded traders that revenue collection is now automated and cautioned against cash payments, urging the use of approved payment channels for transparency and accountability.
The meeting also gave market chairpersons an opportunity to raise challenges affecting their operations and propose solutions to improve service delivery.
By Benedict Aoya
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