The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Co-operatives and MSMEs Development, Hon. Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH, on 25th September 2026 launched the MSMEs Country-Wide Sensitisation Drive in Mbale, Vihiga County. He was joined by MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa and Board Directors George Mbogo, Joseph Mbeva, Catherine Githinji, and Adams Baraza.
The Drive takes government services directly to entrepreneurs in their own counties, bringing government funds and agencies together in one place so that business owners can access finance, standards, training, market linkages, health cover, social security, and registration services without travelling to Nairobi. From Vihiga, the Drive moves on to the rest of the country.
Vihiga County Woman Representative Hon. Beatrice Adagala, Ikolomani Member of Parliament Hon. Bernard Shinali, Secretary/CEO, Huduma Kenya, CPA Ben Kai Chilumo, Board of Directors, George Mbogo, Joseph Mbeva, Catherine Githinji, Adams Baraza and other dignitaries speaking during the event.
Chief Executive Officers of government agencies across the MSME ecosystem were on the ground presenting their services and attending to enquiries from entrepreneurs. These included the Women Enterprise Fund, the Hustler Fund, Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE), the Youth Enterprise Development Fund, the Uwezo Fund, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA), the National Industrial Training Authority (NITA), the National Employment Authority, NSSF, and the Social Health Authority (SHA/TaifaCare), alongside complementary services from Huduma Kenya and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
MSEA Director General Mr. Henry Rithaa addressing MSMEs and in a press interview during the event
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Rithaa highlighted the reach of government programmes supporting small businesses through MSEA. He noted that the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project has supported 2,019 beneficiaries in Vihiga County, with disbursements totalling Kes. 92.1 million, while the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) Project has supported two clusters in the county: the Vihiga County Micro and Small Enterprises Association in construction, and Inua Village Textile Industry Limited in textiles. Beneficiaries of both projects shared with fellow entrepreneurs how the support has improved their livelihoods.
He added that through the Constituency Industrial Development Centres in Luanda, Manyatta, and Hamisi, MSEA is supporting artisans in tin smithing, welding, carpentry, tailoring, motor-vehicle mechanics, leatherwork, baking, soap making, and agribusiness, and has issued salon and leatherwork equipment to seven enterprises drawn from these centres. Mr. Rithaa emphasised that MSEA will continue to take its services closer to entrepreneurs, working with county governments and partner agencies to scale their growth.
MSEA Director of Business Development, Marketing and Trade, Dr. Caroline Kaua, Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project Technical Lead Mr. Edward Munoru, National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement Project Coordinator Mr. Patrick Muchunku and Vihiga County Head Mr. Philip Maobe addressing MSMEs during the forum
MSEA Director of Business Development, Marketing and Trade, Dr. Caroline Kaua, led the NYOTA, KJET, and Vihiga County teams in presenting the projects and the impact they are having on entrepreneurs. Mr. Patrick Muchunku spoke on the NYOTA Project, outlining how it has supported young entrepreneurs in the county and the mentorship that runs alongside it — with beneficiaries paired with experienced mentors who provide coaching and business site visits so that start-up capital translates into enterprises that survive and grow. Mr. Munoru spoke on the KJET Project, which supports formally registered groups with training, mentorship, and co-investment to acquire value-addition machinery, urging eligible groups in the county to apply before the deadline.
The event also delivered immediate support to local enterprises. The Women Enterprise Fund advanced Kes. 14 million to women entrepreneurs in Vihiga County, while the Uwezo Fund disbursed Kes. 4.5 million to groups in the county — giving women, youth, and community enterprises the working capital to start and grow their businesses.
Also in attendance were Vihiga County Woman Representative Hon. Beatrice Adagala and Ikolomani Member of Parliament Hon. Bernard Shinali, alongside county leadership, national government administration officers, and other dignitaries.
Entrepreneurs seeking further information can visit the MSEA Vihiga County office at the County Commissioner’s office, Block B, Room 110.
Highlights from the Uwezo Fund and Women Enterprise Fund check issuance during the event.
