92 MSEA-registered groups and associations comprising women, youth, and persons with disabilities in Kisii County are set to scale up their businesses, thanks to a handover of common-user machinery aimed at boosting productivity, promoting value addition, and creating jobs. The equipment was issued during an Economic Empowerment Forum at Nyagoge, Bonchari Constituency, presided over by the Principal Secretary for the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Hon. Susan Auma Mang’eni, CBS, and hosted by Kisii County Woman Representative Hon. Donya Dorice Aburi.
Speaking during the forum, PS Mang’eni reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to supporting the growth and sustainability of Micro and Small Enterprises, noting that the empowerment initiative is aligned with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which places MSMEs at the center of economic transformation by expanding opportunities for enterprise development, employment creation and improved household incomes.
Principal Secretary, State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Hon. Susan Auma Mang’eni, CBS, goving her remarks during the empowerement forum.
The PS also highlighted the impact of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project in Kisii County, noting that a total of 6,212 youth have benefited from the project’s start-up capital component, with Kes. 155.3 million disbursed to support the establishment and growth of their businesses. She noted that mentorship of the beneficiaries is currently ongoing and encouraged the youth enterpreneurs to actively participate in the program, which is aimed at strengthening their entrepreneurial and business management skills, enabling them to effectively utilize the capital received, address emerging business challenges and build sustainable enterprises.
Representing MSEA Chief Executive Officer Mr. Henry Rithaa, the Authority’s Director for Innovation and Infrastructure Development, Eng. Edward Karani, underscored MSEA’s commitment to equipping Micro and Small Enterprises with access to common-user machinery that helps them improve productivity, undertake value addition, and expand their businesses. He also encouraged eligible MSMEs and groups to take advantage of the ongoing Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project (KJET) Cohort 3 and 4 application window, which closes on 21st September 2026, and to explore the support available to strengthen the growth and competitiveness of their enterprises.
MSEA Director, Innovation and Infrastructure Development, Eng. Edward Karani, and MSEA Kisii regional head Cliff Agwata giving their remarks during the forum.
The equipment issued included sewing and knitting machines, hairdressing and salon kits, car wash machines, woodwork machines and welding machines, among other enterprise-support equipment and accessories. The empowerment initiative demonstrates the Government’s continued commitment to supporting MSMEs with the tools, equipment and opportunities necessary to strengthen their enterprises, create employment, increase incomes and contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s economic transformation.
Pictorial highlights during the empowerment forum.
