MSEA county heads have been called upon to guide MSMEs in creating sustainable enterprises capable of generating jobs along priority value chains identified under the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) Project.
Speaking at a county heads forum, MSEA CEO Mr. Henry Rithaa reaffirmed the Authority’s commitment to field-driven economic transformation, emphasizing that county teams are the engines of implementation, noting that their ability to engage MSEs, identify viable clusters, and nurture innovation would ultimately determine the impact of the KJET Project. He urged the teams to ensure that no cluster is left behind.
Mr. Rithaa also highlighted the importance of strengthening collaboration with private sector stakeholders and development partners to expand the project’s reach and effectiveness. He described KJET as more than just a project, calling it a national movement for inclusive economic empowerment. He encouraged the teams to lead with integrity, innovate with purpose, and deliver with excellence.
MSEA CEO Mr. Henry Rithaa addressing the field officers during the forum
The forum was also graced by MSEA Board Directors Ms. Margaret Gitonga and Mr. Billy Baltazar, Chairs of the Finance, Human Resource, Procurement and General Services Committee, and the Infrastructure and Business Development Services Committee, respectively. They encouraged staff to go beyond meeting performance targets and focus on delivering sustainable, collaborative, and accountable impact.
MSEA Board Directors Ms. Margaret Gitonga and Mr. Billy Baltazar during the forum
Representing the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development, Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya, the CS’s Advisor Ms. Rose Mwaura challenged MSEA county leaders to embody Competence, Courage, and Commitment. She emphasized the importance of continuous learning and personal accountability, urging staff to view themselves not just as implementers, but as drivers of transformative change.
Advisor to the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSME Development, Hon. Dr. Wycliffe Oparanya on matters MSMEs Ms. Rose Mwaura speaking during the forum.
Ms. Mwaura also highlighted the upcoming expansion of the MSME Connect Initiative to more counties, aiming to strengthen public-private partnerships and amplify economic inclusion. She reminded attendees that all flagship projects, including KJET, are a result of strong coordination between the national government, the Ministry, and MSEA leadership, but it is the field teams who are the real catalysts of success.
Addressing the county heads, Dr. Caroline Kaua, Director of Business Development noted that the success of the project depends on effective grassroots engagement, urging field officers to be proactive in mobilization, responsive in communication, and diligent in capturing evidence and impact stories from the field.
Director of Business Development Dr. Caroline Kaua speaking during the forum.
During the forum, field officers participated in interactive sessions led by KJET Component 2 Coordinator, Mr. Evans Bullut. The sessions provided a comprehensive overview of the KJET Project, including the structure and delivery of Business Development Services (BDS) training. It also covered the integration of social safeguards to protect the interests of beneficiaries and emphasized the importance of evidence-based reporting in promoting accountability and tracking the project’s impact. Participants had the opportunity to engage deeply with these themes, exploring practical strategies for effective implementation in their respective counties.
KJET Component 2 Coordinator, Mr. Evans Bullut speaking during the forum
Field officers were also guided on how to document replicable success stories, build strategic partnerships, and raise awareness on critical areas such as intellectual property rights, commercialization, and technology transfer. These elements were highlighted as key enablers for MSME growth, in line with the KJET Project’s broader contributions to Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) agenda.
As the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) Project gains momentum, the forum served as a timely reminder that meaningful change begins at the grassroots. With county teams empowered, leadership aligned, and partnerships strengthened, MSEA is well-positioned to drive inclusive growth across the country
