Kisumu Deputy Governor Dr. Mathew Owili has said the county government has reaffirmed its commitment to empowering Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through a range of targeted interventions.
Owili said the move is aimed at enhancing competitiveness, unlocking growth opportunities, and positioning local businesses for regional and global markets.
MSMEs, he said, play a critical role in job creation, innovation, and resilience across various sectors adding that the programs rolled out by the county government were deliberate to unlock the sector’s full potential.
Speaking during an entrepreneurship clinic organised by the county government in partnership with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) and the German Corporation for International Cooperation (GIZ), Dr. Owili said key among the interventions was the establishment of a County Business Incubation and Innovation Centre, which serves as a dedicated hub for mentorship, market linkage, and skills development.
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To further support enterprise growth, the county government, he said, has partnered with financial institutions to expand access to affordable credit tailored to the unique needs of startups and small businesses.
Dr. Owili also cited significant investments in market infrastructure, including the modernization of Kibuye Market and the construction of new trading facilities in Kombewa, Chichwa, Korowe, and Uhuru Business Park, as part of ongoing efforts to improve the business environment for small traders.
In collaboration with the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the county, he said, has rolled out capacity-building programs to equip MSMEs with knowledge on product quality, packaging, certification, and export readiness.
“Quality is not a luxury. It is a passport to bigger things. Kisumu must be known not just for its beauty and culture, but for producing businesses that can stand toe-to-toe with anyone, anywhere,” he said.
He challenged MSMEs to embrace standards and regulations not as barriers, but as stepping stones to greater success.
This, he said, was the surest way to ensure that the sector thrives beyond the borders given Kisumu’s proximity to Uganda and Tanzania.
“The economy of Kisumu is driven by MSMEs. As we gather here to equip our MSMEs, we’re not just thinking about Obunga or Kibuye. We’re preparing them to thrive across Kenya, East Africa, and the global marketplace,” said Dr. Owili.
The workshop brought together partners from across the public and private sectors, including the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA), which provided guidance on the ongoing tax amnesty and the Electronic Tax Invoice Management System (e-TIMS) aimed at easing compliance for small businesses.
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KEBS also conducted training sessions on product certification, use of the Kenya Industrial and Manufacturing System (KIMS), and market surveillance practices.
The small-scale traders also had an opportunity to voice their concerns and challenges affecting their enterprises.
Ann Awuor, a bee products entrepreneur from Nyakach Sub-County, raised concerns over the high cost of KEBS certification, which she said had locked many small-scale producers out of formal markets.
“As small traders, we understand the importance of certification, but most of us simply cannot afford it. I have been trying in vain for over a year to get my honey certified so as to sell it in supermarkets,” she said.
Tom Odhiambo, who runs a homemade juice business, pointed to difficulties with digital application processes.
“Many of us are not tech-savvy. The online system is complicated, and we don’t have anyone to guide us,” he said.
Susan Atieno, a fashion designer from Manyatta, spoke of challenges accessing large retail chains.
“Most stores won’t even consider your product without the proper documentation, no matter how good it is,” she said.
KEBS representative Peter Wambua said the state agency was working with the county government to establish support desks and host additional training sessions for MSMEs across the county.
By Fredrick Odiero
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