This archive report was first published on 11 May 2020.
On May 11, 2020, the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) released a survey revealing the devastating impact of COVID-19 on small and medium-sized firms in Kenya.
KEPSA, which represents 264 businesses in the informal and formal sectors, conducted the survey to determine the needs and concerns of businesses and ensure a more targeted engagement with the Government as Kenya works to deal with the impact of the coronavirus.
According to the survey, a total of 2,466 firms participated, with 81% reporting being affected by the pandemic. The tourism and education sectors were listed as the most affected by COVID-19 related disruptions, including lockdowns and the stoppage of international flights.
The survey showed that 85% of small businesses and 78% of medium-sized businesses reported the highest impact, compared to 78% of micro-enterprises and 70% of large companies.
KEPSA noted that the cost of freight remains a major concern for the horticulture sector, which is expected to recover quickly as it seeks to meet demand overseas.
However, the finance, health, and social work sectors were the least affected, with impacts of 47%, 50%, and 56% respectively.
