This archive report was first published on 8 June 2020.
On June 5, 2020, the Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Chief Administrative Secretary, Lawrence Karanja, toured the Nyahururu Common Manufacturing Facility, formerly Jua Kali Centre in Laikipia County, to assess the impact of the pandemic on small businesses.
The government aims to help revive these businesses, which have been largely affected by the pandemic, by providing funding and technical support through partnerships with state agencies, including the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA).
According to Karanja, the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development will offer loans to small and micro entrepreneurs to help revive their businesses. The ministry has started profiling vulnerable cases and touring small businesses and Jua Kali sectors to anticipate the impact of the pandemic and identify areas where efforts should be focused.
Small businesses, particularly in the Jua kali sector, contribute significantly to the country's economy, accounting for close to 30% of the country's GDP. The government recognizes the importance of these businesses and is working to help them recover.
The MSEA CEO, Henry Rithaa, emphasized the need to equip the Jua Kali sector with modern machinery for efficient production. He noted that the majority of Kenyan entrepreneurs fall under MSEA, and the government is addressing challenges facing micro and small businesses across the 47 counties.
Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency CEO, Dr. Wilfred Nyakwanya, highlighted the importance of ensuring market availability for Kenyan products locally and globally, as well as boosting the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative by promoting a consumer base for local manufacturers.
