Strengthen SMEs, CS Adan urges counties

Aska Kerubo receives a symbolic cheque from Industrialisation Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohammed (right) and Kisii County Governor James Ongwae (third right) at the end of Kisii County Entrepreneurship Summit yesterday. Ms Kerubo was overall winner in the innovation category.[PHOTO: DENISH OCHIENG/STANDARD]

Industrialisation and Enterprise Development Cabinet Secretary Adan Mohamed has called on county governments to strengthen Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

This will help them deal with competition between businesses, the CS noted. And to improve the business environment, he encouraged counties to reduce some of the levies they impose on traders. 

Speaking yesterday during closure of the Kisii County Entrepreneurship Summit at Kisii University sports grounds, the CS noted Kenya’s economy largely depended on SMEs but added that some policies formulated by county governments were hindering expansion of businesses.

“There are a significant number of opportunities that exist in our counties. We need to support already established businesses to reduce risks involved in doing business,”  said Adan.

He observed that businesses  must ultimately be ready to face more intense competition when they venture into the global arena.

Later on, the CS joined other panellists, including Mohammed Nyaoga, Chairman, Central Bank of Kenya; Chris Kirubi, Director, Centum Investment Company; Vimal Shah, CEO Bidco Group who is also chairman Kenya Private Sector Alliance; Joshua Oigara, CEO Kenya Commercial Bank; and Joshua Chepkwony, Chairman, Jamii Telecoms, in discussing issues that would spur innovation.

Mr Kirubi told the youth to hone their talents. 

“Gone are the days where your papers were the only qualifications one required to get a job. Your knowledge, attitude and ambition is what will get you there. I hope to hear various success stories from the county. Nothing is impossible,” said Mr Kirubi.

He took issue with the current education system  which he said had laid less emphasis on technical education. “The youth must learn to create finished products from farm yields as part of value addition,” he said.

Mr Oigara called on the private sector to hire more  young people.

“Job opportunities continue to shrink. Kenya Commercial Bank is giving 20,000 credit loans to the youth and we expect to increase the number to 100,000 by next month,” he said.

Mr Shah said every leader must measure performance to keep track their development record.

He said Kenya had one of the best trained employees, but poverty continued to limit opportunities.

 “There are at least one million people leaving school every year, all looking for jobs. On the other hand, the private sector is creating approximately 200,000 job opportunities every year, leaving 800,000 people to scramble for government jobs,” said Shah.

More than 170 exhibitors showcased their entrepreneurial skills at the summit.

During the event, young innovators got an opportunity to compete in a National Innovation Pitching competition with the winner, Askah Kerubo of Ritoke Crisps, bagging Sh1 million.

The runner up, Newton Owino of Kisumu County Fish Leather, got Sh500,000, while ICT guru Sideny Rema of Kisii County came third to secure Sh250,000.