GOVERNMENT UNVEILS MULTI-BILLION SHILLING BOOST FOR SMALL BUSINESSES IN EVERY WARD

The government has launched a nationwide economic empowerment initiative targeting small and micro-businesses, allocating billions of shillings to support enterprises in every ward under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Tuesday announced that at least 70 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in each of the country’s 1,450 wards will receive grants of Sh50, 000 to strengthen and grow their businesses.

Speaking at an Empowerment Forum in Naivasha, Nakuru County on 14^th may 2025, the DP emphasized that the initiative is focused on uplifting grassroots traders including salon and barbershop operators, carpenters, tailors, mama mboga, and other small-scale business owners in need of capital to expand.

“We are keen on boosting small and micro enterprises so that they expand and create more jobs. We will have 70 small-scale traders in every ward benefit from this program,” said Prof. Kindiki.

He reaffirmed the Kenya Kwanza administration’s commitment to supporting those at the base of the economic pyramid through targeted, community-level interventions.

“We are serious and we don’t want to be distracted by political busybodies. That is the Bottom-Up promise we made and we are fulfilling it. It is time to work—politics can wait,” he added.

In addition to the SME grants, the Deputy President said that empowerment forums for mama mboga and boda boda operators will continue across the country. He challenged critics to openly state their position on programs designed to uplift small traders.

“Anyone opposed to these empowerment programs should come out clearly and tell us they are not for empowering small-scale traders to grow and better their lives. We must ensure traders expand and help us grow our economy,” he said.

Prof. Kindiki also announced that the government is expanding the Climate WorX program—currently underway in Nairobi—to other counties. The initiative focuses on environmental regeneration through the cleaning of river basins and unclogging of drainage and sewerage systems, while creating green jobs for the youth.

The Deputy President further revealed ongoing infrastructure and development projects in Nakuru County, including the construction of 17 modern markets, with tenders issued for six more. These include markets in Naivasha (Sh350 million), Mai Mahiu (Sh200 million), and Oserian and Kinungi (Sh70 million), all expected to be completed before the end of the year.

“I will be coming here frequently to check the progress of all these projects—roads, electricity, markets and others. Once complete, the President will come to open them,” he said.

Prof. Kindiki also addressed the aftermath of the Mai Mahiu dam tragedy, noting that the government is in the final stages of securing land to resettle displaced victims.

“We are negotiating the land to settle the victims of Mai Mahiu. We will finalize it soon so that they can be relocated to safer ground,” he said.

The Deputy President’s announcements signal the government’s continued focus on economic inclusivity and grassroots development as a cornerstone of its national transformation agenda.

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