Lengapiani, MBS

Head of Secretariat/CEO
Uwezo Fund Oversight Board
Ministry of Cooperatives and MSMEs Development-State Department for MSMEs development

[Hon Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH @DrOparanya]

Today, I hosted the Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, Hon. @GovLeeKinyanjui who paid me a courtesy call at my office.

We held productive discussions on strengthening collaboration between our Ministries to support the growth of micro,small and medium enterprises. Our engagement focused on expanding market access, promoting value addition, strengthening enterprise linkages and creating a more enabling environment for MSME traders to grow and compete.

We remain committed to working together to unlock opportunities for entrepreneurs,create jobs and contribute to Kenya’s economic transformation.

[Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni]

Today, we conducted an advance visit to inspect and assess the venue for the World MSME Day 2026 celebrations, scheduled for 27th June 2026. The event will also serve as the national disbursement event for the 2nd tranche of the @NYOTA_Kenya business start-up capital.

The visit provided an opportunity to review logistical arrangements, venue readiness, beneficiary reception plans, security measures, and coordination among implementing agencies to ensure a seamless and successful event.

[Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni]

This afternoon, I chaired the closing meeting of the World Bank Implementation Support Mission for the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (@KJETProject_Ke) Project, led by @WorldBankKenya Task Team Leader Asta Bareisaite and Co-Task Team Leader Leah Kiwara.

The KJET Project is a flagship Government initiative designed to catalyse private sector investment, expand market access, and improve access to sustainable finance, ultimately driving job creation and economic transformation across the country.

Anchored on the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the project seeks to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of MSME clusters within priority value chains, unlocking new opportunities for enterprise growth and wealth creation.

KJET is expected to strengthen MSMEs' capacity to create and expand jobs, resulting in increased household incomes and a deeper contribution of MSMEs to Kenya’s national development.

[Uwezo Fund @UwezoFund]

Today we celebrate Kenya's journey of self-governance, the sacrifices of our heroes and heroines and the resilience of our people. We are committed to empowering communities towards a brighter future for all
@DrOparanya
@SusanAMangeni
@lengapiani
@annie_njenga
@SpokespersonGoK

[Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni]

I hosted a high-level delegation from Botswana on a benchmarking visit focused on the successful implementation of the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement @NYOTA_Kenya) program.

The visit provided an opportunity for knowledge exchange on Kenya’s innovative approaches to youth empowerment, enterprise development, access to affordable financing opportunities, digital innovation and inclusion, skills development and mentorship, and program scalability.

I highlighted the government of Kenya’s commitment to bui
lding an inclusive entrepreneurial ecosystem that equips young people with the skills, opportunities, and support needed to thrive in a dynamic economy.

A key highlight of the discussions was the use of the *254# digital platform, which has been a game changer in the implementation of NYOTA by enhancing accessibility, transparency, efficiency, and inclusivity by enabling young people across the country to easily access program information, application processes, opportunities, and support services directly through their mobile phones.

Leveraging technology through platforms such as *254# has strengthened government outreach and expanded opportunities for youth, particularly those in underserved and remote areas.

The digital platform is part of the countries' digitization agenda, which ensures Kenyans can access government services in the comfort of their homes, thus making service delivery fast and efficient. By reaching youth at the grassroots level, Nyota has created opportunities for participation from diverse regions and communities, ensuring that no young person is left behind in the country’s economic transformation agenda. the areas.

Through structured mentorship, entrepreneurial coaching, and practical skills development, more young people are now identifying market gaps within and building sustainable enterprises.

The Botswana delegation commended Kenya’s progress in implementing youth-centered economic empowerment programs and expressed interest in adopting key lessons and best practices to strengthen similar initiatives in Botswana, noting political goodwill as a key enabler and driver of successful project implementation.

This engagement underscores the importance of regional collaboration and peer learning in advancing Africa’s development agenda and creating meaningful opportunities for young people across the continent.

[Hon Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH @DrOparanya]

Had the honor of officially opening the nationwide sensitization forums for the regional top savers of Kenya national police DT Sacco at travellers beach resort in Mombasa.

The sensitization focuses on financial literacy and cultivating a savings culture.

Encouraged them to also diversify their incomes, including planting coffee, to secure their socioeconomic prosperity post retirement

[Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni]

The Africa Forward Business Forum, held in Nairobi as part of the Africa Forward Summit 2026, brought together government leaders, investors, entrepreneurs, and development partners from across Africa and Europe to explore new pathways for economic growth, trade, and investment on the continent.

This morning, I joined the Africa Forward Business Forum, co-hosted by our president, H.E. Dr William Ruto and his French counterpart, H.E. Emmanuel Macron. The forum focused on the need to shift Africa’s global economic engagement from an aid-dependent model to one driven by investment, entrepreneurship, and industrial growth.

The forum advocated for Africa to finance more of its own development through innovative financing mechanisms and stronger regional financial institutions that will fast-track investments in infrastructure, strengthen digital ecosystems, and support industrial development.

Kenya was highlighted as an emerging hub for digital innovation, fintech, and startup development. This speaks to our government's commitment to creating an enabling business environment for enterprises to thrive

[Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni]

The launch of the Africa Initiative for Medical Access and Manufacturing (AIM2030) on the sidelines of the Africa Forward 2026 gathering in Nairobi is a welcome step in our journey toward increasing Kenya’s manufacturing contribution to GDP to 20% by 2030.

We thank our President, H.E. Dr William Ruto, for championing this initiative. Its success will help ensure that Africa’s projected 50-billion-dollar pharmaceutical market shifts from being largely import-driven to generating local income and opportunities for African pharmaceutical manufacturers.

Kenya has invested in Industrial Parks and County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across the country, which, combined with expanding investments in infrastructure and logistics, including the Port of Mombasa and the Standard Gauge Railway, will significantly ease the movement of goods to regional and international export markets.

Growth in manufacturing volumes will also have a direct impact on MSMEs by creating opportunities in auxiliary services, contract manufacturing, distribution, and other support services within the value chain.

As a State Department, we welcome this launch and look forward to Kenya taking its place as a leading hub for pharmaceutical manufacturing, health innovation, and medical supply chains in Africa

[Uwezo Fund @UwezoFund]

Residents of Butula Constituency gathered at Bukhalalire Secondary School for a Joint Sensitization and Economic Empowerment Programme hosted by area MP Hon. Joseph Oyula in collaboration with the @UwezoFund and graced by @CS Cooperatives and MSME Devept
@DrOparanya
@lengapiani

[Uwezo Fund @UwezoFund]

We celebrate all women
@DrOparanya
@lengapiani
@SpokespersonGoK
@MSEA_Kenya
@annie_njenga
@SusanAMangeni
@hustlerfund_KE
@KIE_Kenya

[Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni]

Yesterday we visited Governor Matt Meyer of the State of Delaware in the United States of America to discuss opportunities for collaboration to support the growth of the MSME sector in Kenya. In our discussion we explored emerging opportunities, including educational exchange programmes for skills, knowledge and technology transfers; key agricultural value chains, including the poultry value chain, which is predominant in Delaware State; and the tech start-ups and AI investments, as well as connecting the US investors to Kenyan MSMEs through matchmaking.

Governor Meyer has a passion for Kenya's MSME sector, having founded a social enterprise in Korogocho, Nairobi – Ecosandals – in 1995, which made sandal footwear from recycled tyres, creating jobs and providing a sustainable source of livelihood in the community.

After arriving in Kenya on an Undugu Society mission, he impacted livelihoods in the poor neighbourhoods. Meyer also established an e-commerce platform to market the Korogocho-made sandals to the global market. Today the Ecosandal brand is a global brand courtesy of his vision.

Governor Meyer commended the renewed attention that the government under President H.E. Dr William Ruto has placed on the MSME sector and expressed his readiness to become a champion of the Kenyan MSMEs in the USA by fostering strategic partnerships and collaborations.

Earlier in the day, we paid a visit to the Small Business Development Centre (SBDC) Delaware chapter, a program of the Small Business Administration, a U.S. government agency, which supports the growth and scaling of small businesses. We met with the SBDC Delaware State Director, Michael Bowman and her deputy, Ms Ariel Gruswitz, who took us through the SBDC model.

The SBDC Delaware chapter is hosted at the University of Delaware and focuses on building the capacity of small businesses in the State of Delaware by offering them business advisory services, including training, coaching, counselling, and linkages to financing and guaranteed markets.

The SBDC model will greatly inform the sustainability framework for the early-stage enterprises started by the NYOTA business support beneficiaries with a goal of securing their growth and resilience. Our State Department looks forward to domesticating the SBDC model in Kenya and establishing a supportive ecosystem that enables the growth of MSMEs.

[Uwezo Fund @UwezoFund]

@UwezoFund today disbursed KSh 4.69m to 42 beneficiary groups during a landmark Cheque Issuance and Joint Economic Empowerment Sensitization Prog. held at Chevaywa Technical and Vocational College in Lugari Constituency
@lengapiani
@MSEA_Kenya
@DrOparanya
@annie_njenga

[The Mayor @themayor_ke]

The Raila family is playing a game, sijui kama mnaona.

First, Mama Ida supported and defended Sifuna but immediately she was offered a job, alikumbuka she is not a politician. Not supporting Ruto, not supporting Sifuna.

Winnie had started attacking Oburu and Linda Tumbos, but after the Ida appointment and whispers of ODM deputy party leader, she has gone completely lowkey.

Ruth on the other hand tried planting herself in the ODM Central Committee, got edged out by Oburu’s son, and now she’s suddenly aligned with Linda Mwananchi.

Oburu naye you can excuse. At this point he looks like a man attending a meeting he didn’t call, doesn’t understand, and doesn’t even care to influence.

Are you seeing the pattern here?

[Hon Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH @DrOparanya]

I held a consultative meeting with the Canadian High Commissioner to Kenya,Mr. Joshua Tabah,where we explored strategic areas of collaboration aimed at strengthening Kenyan cooperatives and MSMEs.Our discussions focused on building sustainable partnerships that can unlock growth opportunities,enhance productivity and position our enterprises competitively in the global market.

A key area of focus was the ongoing coffee revitalization through cooperatives.We emphasized the need to attract investment and forge partnerships geared towards the modernization of coffee factories,with the objective of accelerating local value addition and improving returns for our farmers.Strengthening this value chain remains critical in ensuring that our coffee sector regains its global competitiveness.

We also explored opportunities for creating direct markets in Canada for processed Kenyan coffee and other MSME products,as well as the establishment of aggregation centers to support smallholder farmers.These initiatives are aimed at improving market access,enhancing efficiency and ensuring that our farmers and entrepreneurs fully benefit from their hard work.

[Hon Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH @DrOparanya]

Happening Tomorrow.

[Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni]

Today I appeared before the National Assembly Special Funds Committee, led by Hon. Fatuma Mohamed, County Member of Parliament for Migori County, to discuss the background, impact, and future of the Financial Inclusion Fund (@hustlerfund_KE) and the @UwezoFund in advancing our national financial inclusion agenda.

We discussed how these funds are expanding access to affordable credit for Kenyans, particularly those at the bottom of the economic pyramid, and enabling them to actively participate in enterprise development and nation-building.

We also explored the policy and legislative support required to strengthen and expand the impact of these funds, ensuring that more Kenyans can access financial services and credit opportunities that empower them economically.

I was joined by Henry Tanui, CEO of the Hustler Fund, and Peter Lengapiani, CEO of the Uwezo Fund, as we shared insights into progress made and opportunities ahead for deepening financial inclusion across the country.

[Uwezo Fund @UwezoFund]

The Chief Executive Officer of @UwezoFund, Mr. Peter Lengapiani, today held a strategic engagement meeting with a delegation from Consolidated Bank of Kenya led by its CEO, Murage Njagagua, at Lonrho House.
@lengapiani
@SusanAMangeni
@MSEA_Kenya
@annie_njenga
@hustlerfund_KE

[PS Betsy Njagi,CBS - Blue Economy @PS_Betsy_Njagi]

Together with my colleague Principal Secretaries Hon. Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni (State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and Mr. Harry Kimtai @KimtaiHarry (Mining), we held a strategic follow-up engagement to deepen collaboration under the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project (KJET), with a strong focus on advancing opportunities within the blue economy and mining value chains.

This engagement centred on unlocking practical pathways through which organised groups operating across these sectors can meaningfully benefit from KJET interventions and drive enterprise growth, job creation and sustainable livelihoods.

We noted with satisfaction that both the State Department for the Blue Economy and the State Department for Mining have already undertaken critical groundwork, including mapping viable business cases and identifying organised groups within priority value chains. In this regard, we reaffirmed our commitment to build on existing progress, ensuring alignment and avoiding duplication of efforts.

Going forward, we are firmly aligned on leveraging established government and community structures to accelerate impact because sustainable transformation is most effective when it strengthens rather than replaces what already works.

[Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni]

Strengthening coordination within the MSME ecosystem remains a critical pillar in enabling enterprises to grow from micro to small and ultimately to medium-sized businesses. This progression is essential for unlocking the sector’s full potential in creating sustainable jobs and driving inclusive economic growth.

I held a productive meeting with the team from the @SNV_AgriFood Investing in Young Business in Africa (IYBA) SEED Project, led by Rebecca Hallam, SNV Country Director, Kenya and Burundi, to explore how SNV can provide technical support to design and operationalise a coordinated MSME ecosystem in Kenya.

I was joined by my colleagues @KimtaiHarry Principal Secretary State Department for Mining, and @PS_Betsy_Njagi Njagi, Principal Secretary, State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, whose portfolios are among the Government’s priority value chains and present significant opportunities for youth employment, enterprise growth, and investment.

Our discussions also explored the importance of accrediting Business Development Service (BDS) providers and strengthening partnerships with institutions of higher learning to nurture entrepreneurial skills while students are still on campus. This will help young people transition more smoothly into enterprise and innovation after graduation.

Through these collaborations, we aim to develop a more coordinated MSME ecosystem in Kenya, one that enables enterprises to grow, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to economic development. @

[Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni]

I joined my fellow Principal Secretaries for the 3rd Principal Secretaries’ Meeting of 2026, convened by the Hon @koske_felix , Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, to review progress in the implementation of the Government’s agenda and deliberate on strategies to accelerate the achievement of key national priorities.

Guided by the One Government approach, we reaffirmed our collective commitment to strengthening coordination, enhancing efficiency, and sustaining momentum in delivering impactful results for the people of Kenya.

These engagements are critical in fast-tracking a results-driven approach that translates policy into tangible outcomes, improves service delivery, and advances national development priorities, particularly in empowering MSMEs and strengthening the broader economy.

#MSMEKenya