Oparanya Calls for Increased Private Sector Funding to Unlock Growth of Kenya’s MSMEs

-
Cabinet Secretary for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development Wycliffe Oparanya has called for increased private sector investment in Kenya’s small businesses, saying limited access to affordable financing remains the greatest challenge facing the sector.

Speaking during the World MSME Day 2026 MSME Sector Breakfast and Training held at the Iconic Plaza Hotel in Nairobi on Friday, Oparanya said this year’s national celebrations are centered on unlocking private sector financing and equipping entrepreneurs for an increasingly artificial intelligence-driven economy.

The Cabinet Secretary noted that despite various government interventions aimed at supporting micro, small and medium enterprises, many businesses continue to struggle to access affordable credit, limiting their ability to expand, create jobs and contribute fully to the economy.

Oparanya emphasized the need for stronger partnerships between government, financial institutions and private investors to bridge the financing gap and enable small businesses to thrive in a rapidly changing business environment.

He also highlighted the importance of preparing entrepreneurs to embrace emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence, saying digital transformation presents new opportunities for innovation, productivity and competitiveness among MSMEs.

Meanwhile, Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) Director General Henry Rithaa outlined the Authority’s ongoing efforts to strengthen and formalize Kenya’s MSME sector through targeted support programs.

Rithaa said MSEA continues to empower entrepreneurs through Business Development Services training, facilitating access to local and international markets, improving access to affordable financing, and providing common user facilities such as business incubation centres and shared production machinery.
He noted that these interventions remain central to the Authority’s mandate of building competitive, resilient and sustainable micro and small enterprises capable of driving job creation, fostering innovation and accelerating the country’s economic transformation.

The event brought together stakeholders from government, the private sector and development organizations to discuss strategies for enhancing the growth and sustainability of Kenya’s MSME sector.

The Cabinet Secretary was accompanied by Principal Secretary for the State Department for MSMEs Susan Auma Mang’eni and chief executive officers from various state agencies under the ministry.

Popular posts from this blog

IGAD Executive Secretary Calls for United AI and Cybersecurity Strategy to Secure Horn of Africa

-
Image
By irene  The Executive Secretary of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu, has issued a compelling call for regional collaboration in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity measures to safeguard the future of security, development, and digital resilience across the Greater Horn of Africa. Speaking during the Regional Consultative Seminar on Harnessing Artificial Intelligence and Cybersecurity for Security, Cooperation, and Resilience, Dr. Gebeyehu emphasized the transformative potential of technology when guided by ethical leadership and human-centered values. “Technology best serves humanity when we, as humanity, guide its development,” he said, while addressing dignitaries including Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for ICT Hon. William Kabogo and the Norwegian Ambassador to Kenya, H.E. Gunnar Andreas Holm. The IGAD chief cited AI as a critical tool in enhancing regional law enforcement capabilities, combatin...
Read more

Incoming Nairobi Women Representative Florence Kilasi Calls for Women-Centered Leadership During Donholm Church Service

-
Image
Incoming Nairobi Women Representative Hon. Florence Kilasi on Sunday joined congregants for a church service in Donholm, where she held engagements with women and youth on the importance of leadership that prioritizes empowerment and community development. Speaking during the gathering, Kilasi encouraged women to remain united and actively support leaders committed to uplifting families, creating opportunities for women, and initiating beneficial projects that improve livelihoods across Nairobi. The incoming Nairobi Women Representative emphasized the need for inclusive leadership that listens to the concerns of ordinary wananchi, especially women struggling with unemployment, economic hardship, and limited access to empowerment opportunities. Kilasi noted that women play a critical role in shaping society and should be at the forefront of leadership and decision-making processes. She pledged to champion programs aimed at empowering women economically, supportin...
Read more

Campaigner CitizenGO Ann Kioko Leads 12,000 Kenyans in Urgent Plea to President: Reject UN SOGI Vote, Defend Family and National Values

-
Image
By irene Mwende  NAIROBI, KENYA – Ann Kioko, the Campaign Director for CitizenGO Africa, has delivered a powerful petition on behalf of 12,620 concerned Kenyan citizens, urging President William Ruto to immediately clarify and retract Kenya’s recent vote at the United Nations in favor of extending the controversial mandate on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI). In a strongly worded statement, Kioko expressed deep urgency and grave concern over Kenya’s July 5, 2025 vote endorsing the renewal of the so-called UN Independent Expert on SOGI. According to Kioko, this decision was made without any public consultation or national debate and starkly contradicts the spirit of Kenya’s Constitution, which recognizes the family as the natural and fundamental unit of society. “The SOGI mandate is far from a neutral human rights mechanism,” Kioko said. “It has evolved into a politicized tool used to pressure sovereign nations to accept ideologies that threaten ...
Read more