Machakos MSME policy and MSE Act Review 2025 public participation

The State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, in partnership with ILO and GIZ is holding regional public participation forums to sensitize and collect feedback and concerns from MSMEs on the draft MSME Policy 2025 and proposed amendments to the MSE Act 

The public engagement exercise marks a critical step toward refining the policy and legal framework that governs the MSME sector. By incorporating diverse perspectives, the process aims to create a more inclusive, robust, and responsive policy that meets the needs of stakeholders across the country.

Once enacted, the MSME Policy 2025 will serve as a strategic roadmap for strengthening a productive, diversified, and competitive MSME sector that fosters economic transformation and social empowerment.

Some outlined key objectives of the draft policy, include strengthening the institutional and regulatory frameworks, streamlining regulatory processes, and enhancing access to finance, markets, and technology. The policy also aims to promote innovation, build capacity, and improve MSME competitiveness to expand their access to domestic, regional, and international markets.

Proposed amendments to the MSE Act of 2012 include Integrating government priorities, including a value chain approach and cluster development. Integrating a devolved governance structure through the establishment of an intergovernmental working group and the Inclusion of medium enterprises to complete the transition cycle from micro to small to medium, which was missing in MSE Act 2012.

Inclusivity is at the heart of the policy, as it is committed to supporting women, youth, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and marginalized communities through targeted interventions that address their unique challenges