- Vihiga prepares to host the first phase of the nationwide MSME drive
- Government officials to engage entrepreneurs and assess ongoing support programmes
- The initiative will expand to more counties as officials gather feedback on implementation
The government is set to launch a nationwide drive for micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) and young entrepreneurs, starting in Vihiga County.
Vihiga is scheduled to host the first phase of the initiative on September 25, 2026. The initiative is aimed at strengthening coordination among government institutions implementing programmes focused on MSMEs, youth empowerment and enterprise development.
The drive will also provide an opportunity for government officials to engage directly with entrepreneurs, assess the impact of existing programmes and identify challenges affecting their implementation.
The announcement was made by MSMEs and Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya in an update on his Facebook page on Wednesday. Oparanya said he had chaired a high-level preparatory meeting involving government institutions responsible for programmes supporting MSMEs, youth and enterprise development.
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According to Oparanya, the initiative is part of the government’s Whole of Government approach under the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The approach seeks to improve coordination between government agencies and ensure that programmes designed to support entrepreneurs and young people produce measurable outcomes.
After the launch in Vihiga, the MSME countrywide drive is expected to expand to Bungoma, Busia and Homa Bay counties. It will then be rolled out across the rest of the country.
In addition, the government says the exercise will help identify implementation gaps and collect feedback from beneficiaries. This feedback will be used to improve service delivery.
Key areas of focus will include access to enterprise financing, markets, skills development and employment opportunities. Government empowerment programmes such as the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) and Uwezo Fund are expected to form part of the broader engagement with entrepreneurs and young people.
Oparanya said the government remains committed to ensuring that its empowerment programmes contribute to sustainable businesses, improved livelihoods and inclusive economic growth.
By Bernard Magada
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