- Jua Kali artisans are tapping into new opportunities through government housing projects
- Local workshops are finding ways to reach larger public procurement contracts.
- Billions of shillings in upcoming projects could expand opportunities for small enterprises.
Jua Kali artisans have earned Ksh 264 million making windows and doors for the Pioneer Affordable Housing Project, which President William Ruto opened last week.
The contract shows how far local workshops can go when they are plugged into large government projects. Instead of importing fittings, the project turned to the welders, carpenters and metal fabricators who work in the country’s informal manufacturing sector.
In all, 83 Jua Kali associations and groups took part. Their work supported more than 956 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). For many of them, it was an order of a size they would rarely win on their own.
Behind that access was the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA). Through its Uasin Gishu County office, it brought the artisans together, coordinated their participation and arranged subcontracting deals. As a result, small workshops became part of the project’s supply chain.
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At the opening ceremony, President Ruto handed a symbolic cheque to the participating MSMEs. He praised the artisans for their commitment and promised the sector more opportunities through government development programmes.
That promise already has numbers attached. MSEA estimates that opportunities worth Ksh 3.8 billion are lined up for Jua Kali enterprises across the North Rift region. They include affordable housing projects, markets and hostels, which could keep workshops busy well beyond Pioneer.
For the artisans, the gains go beyond one payment. Steady orders can help them hire more workers, buy better equipment and plan ahead with greater confidence. Moreover, a record of delivering at scale strengthens their case when they bid for future public contracts.
MSEA says it will keep working to open markets for small businesses, promote local manufacturing and link MSMEs to public procurement and subcontracting. In its view, the Pioneer project proves that well-planned partnerships can create jobs, empower local enterprises and boost their contribution to Kenya’s economy.
By Benedict Aoya
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