Joint Economic Empowerment Sensitization Program
Today, Ms. Susan Mang'eni, the Principal Secretary for Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Development, along with the Uwezo Fund Board Chair, in collaboration with the Kajiado South Constituency Member of Parliament, Hon. Samuel Sakimba graced the Joint Economic Empowerment Sensitization Program and Cheque Issuance event held at Shapashina Stadium, Oloitokitok, Kajiado South Constituency.
The PS issued Uwezo Fund cheques worth Ksh 3.5 million to 21 groups and kicked off the one-week sensitization forum at the Shapashina Stadium.
The multi-agency sensitization programme, dubbed the ‘Mashinani Sensitization Initiative,’ aimed to establish crucial linkages and unlock opportunities within the MSME space in this county.
The joint sensitization team will proceed to engage in interactive capacity-building programmes in Rombo, Kimana, Kuku, Entonet, and Mbirikani wards.The multi-agency capacity-building programme will integrate various components that support MSMEs' development in the constituency, such as training and capacity building, technology adoption, access to affordable finance/credit, acquisition/modernization of infrastructure, creating market linkages, and utilization of e-commerce.
Speaking during the event, the PS reiterated that the government has recognized the pivotal role played by SMEs by establishing a full-fledged state department to spearhead SME's development.
"These efforts will go a long way in boosting the growth and scaling the impact of MSMEs and graduating them to the next level," said PS Mang’eni.
She urged the residents to form and register groups and associations being key vehicles for socio-economic empowerment at the grassroots. The PS singled out the role of the state department in the promotion of industrialization in the Constituency, whioe calling upon the citizenry to embrace and optimize opportunities in the Constituency.
She highlighted the Ushanga initiative as a key value chain for Kajiado South, saying Uwezo Fund is in the process of developing products specifically geared towards specific value chains for specific regions.
PS applauded the MP for his vision for his constituency and encouraged Kajiado South residents to register and formalize groups and associations to take advantage of government funds to improve their livelihoods.
"It is my hope that these sensitization forums will inform the State department on innovative ways to circumvent the social, cultural, and environmental issues facing our small business communities and further deepen our cooperation in supporting Kenyan enterprises," said PS Mang’eni.
PS implored all the teams to embrace partnership, directed to have the county empowerment forums mobilized through NGAO, identifying specific value chains to maximize the unique potential of the Constituency. Further, she directed Uwezo Fund to fast track the development of a financing product geared towards value chains. She directed MSEA to formalize the groups, opening for AGPO opportunities to realize socio- economic growth .
She called upon the affirmative funds to support in financing the groups and work towards exploring end-to-end solutions that provide market and guaranteed strategies to ensure they are not exploited.
She also urged borrowers to repay to build their credit scores to use it as collateral in other financial lending institutions.
The PS through the Micro Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) also issued several work tools/machines and accessories like car washers, welding machines, car diagnostics equipment to various groups occupying the Kimana Constituency Industrial Development Centre (CIDC).
Ms.Ann Njuguna, Chairperson Uwezo Fund, highlighted the Fund's products and urged borrowers to timely repay their loans as the only way to enhance their limits to higher levels.
Member of Parliament, Hon. Samuel Sakimba, said that the programme will unlock the potential of all the groups in his constituency and empower them to take advantage of the opportunities presented by the multi-agencies to enhance their skills and entrepreneurship acumen, thus improving their livelihoods.
He called upon the groups to utilize the CIDCs to access common user machinery, value addition of their products, aggregation, and linkages to certification agencies for their products to improve product quality and standards in readiness for the markets.