The government will roll out a new funding programme next month aimed at supporting thousands of micro and small enterprises across the country to acquire equipment for value addition and small-scale manufacturing.
In a statement on Wednesday, September 9, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced that the Kenya Jobs for Economic Transformation programme will target entrepreneurs at the grassroots level.
The initiative is designed to support clusters of micro and small enterprises selected equitably from every county, constituency and ward across the country.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. Photo: Courtesy.
Kindiki explained that beneficiary enterprises will receive common user equipment to add value to dairy, coffee, tea, leather, artisanal mining, blue economy, edible oils and leather enterprises within local communities.
The support will be provided through matching grants, with beneficiaries receiving non-repayable funding equivalent to half the cost of the equipment.
The funding will be disbursed in three cohorts in October, November and January.
The Deputy President noted that KJET will, like the ongoing NYOTA Project, prioritise rural entrepreneurs who have historically faced challenges accessing government support because of the informal and small-scale nature of their businesses.
The programme is expected to significantly boost small-scale manufacturing and value addition at the local level, creating jobs and strengthening economic activity across the country.
