CS Chelugui Launches Women in Cooperatives and MSMEs Forum
Uasin Gishu County has 775 registered cooperatives with more than 120,000 members, possessing Kshs. 2.3 billion in deposits and an asset base of Kshs. 5.8 billion.
Caroline Watwati, CEO and Founder of CEE Natural, shows one of her products to the CS MSMES Simon Chelugui
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Simon Chelugui Tuesday launched the Women in Cooperatives and MSMEs Forum in Eldoret Uasin Gishu County.
The forum is aimed at empowering women in cooperatives and micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) through capacity building, access to finance, and market linkages.
Speaking at the launch, CS Chelugui said that women play a vital role in the Kenyan economy, accounting for over half of the country’s population and contributing significantly to the GDP through their work in cooperatives and MSMEs. However, he noted that women entrepreneurs face a number of challenges, including access to finance, market linkages, and training.
The Women in Cooperatives and MSMEs Forum will address these challenges by providing women entrepreneurs with the support they need to succeed. The forum will offer capacity building programs to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for success, facilitate access to finance through partnerships with financial institutions, and provide market linkages through partnerships with public and private sector organizations.
CS Chelugui urged women entrepreneurs to take advantage of the opportunities offered by the forum to grow their businesses and contribute to the economic development of the country.
“The launch of the Women in Cooperatives and MSMEs Forum is a welcome development, as it will help to address some of the key challenges faced by women entrepreneurs in Kenya. The forum is expected to play a significant role in empowering women and promoting economic growth” Stated the Cabinet Minister.
Uasin Gishu County has 775 registered cooperatives with more than 120,000 members, possessing Kshs. 2.3 billion in deposits and an asset base of Kshs. 5.8 billion.
The local government is assisting female business owners by enhancing their skills, reactivating inactive cooperatives, promoting value addition, improving infrastructure, ensuring compliance with the 30% Access to Government Procurement Opportunities (AGPO), supplying cost-effective finance via the County Inua Biashara Fund, and aiding in local and international market access.
“The Uasin Gishu County government is committed to supporting women entrepreneurs through a variety of policies and programs. This support is essential, as women entrepreneurs play a vital role in the county’s economy and contribute to job creation” Stated Governor Jonathan Bii
One of the key ways that the county government supports women entrepreneurs is by providing access to affordable financing. This is done through a variety of channels, including the County Inua Biashara Fund and partnerships with microfinance institutions. Added the county boss
Carorine Watwati, CEO and Founder of CEE Natural – a company that sells natural beauty products, observed that women require greater access to funds to upscale their production.
The County government plans to mobilise SME’s who will represent the country at the Burundi Trade fair exhibition to be held December 2023
According to Martha Jeruto, CECM for Trade, the Burundi fair offers business people networking opportunities.
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