BUSIA: Over 200 stakeholders from the counties of Vihiga, Kakamega, and Busia gathered in Busia town to deliberate on strategies for implementing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), championed by the Kenya Kwanza administration.

The forum brought together micro, small, and medium enterprise (MSME) owners, as well as Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) from the three counties.

Speaking at the event, the Principal Secretary for the State Department for MSMEs Development, Susan Mang’eni, noted that the review of the MSMEs Policy 2020 had already begun in Nairobi and other regions including Central, Coast, Nyanza, Eastern, North Eastern, and Rift Valley.

The aim, she explained, is to align the policy with the current administration’s priorities to better support small business owners.

“We are reviewing the MSMEs 2020 policy to align it with the priorities of the current administration. MSMEs are one of the core pillars of BETA, alongside agriculture, affordable housing, universal health coverage, and the digital superhighway,” Mang’eni stated.

The PS emphasized the government’s commitment to fulfilling campaign promises made to small-scale entrepreneurs, including financial support and capacity building.

“We pledged to address policy gaps and reduce regulatory burdens to ease the cost of doing business. We also promised to improve access to affordable credit—especially by reforming collateral systems—and expand market access and shared business infrastructure,” she affirmed.

Busia County Commissioner Mwachaunga Chaunga underscored the MSME sector’s importance, pointing out that it accounts for 90% of private sector enterprises in Kenya and contributes over 40% to the national GDP. He noted its pivotal role in wealth creation, particularly for youth, women, and PWDs.

Trade representatives from the counties, including Kakamega CEC Godfrey Owori and Busia CEC Olekachuna Omuse, echoed the importance of the draft policy in addressing current challenges. They encouraged the target groups to take advantage of the emerging opportunities.

“The draft policy aims to create a structured, inclusive, and enabling environment to support the growth, sustainability, and competitiveness of MSMEs. We urge PWDs to seize these opportunities,” they stated.

Christopher Kwache, a representative for PWDs from Vihiga, and Bonface Okumu, Chairperson of the Busia Boda Boda Riders Association, urged policymakers to ensure their voices are heard and included in the upcoming 2025 policy.

“We, the members of the boda boda sector, have had a chance to voice our concerns. If these are considered, we are confident we’ll benefit greatly from this sector,” Bonface concluded.