Kakamega County
Electoral Competition

Today,together with Mr. Patrick Kilemi, CBS,Principal Secretary for the State Department for Co-operatives and Ms. Susan Mang’eni, CBS,Principal Secretary for the State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development,I [Hon Wycliffe A. Oparanya, EGH, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development. Governor-Emeritus of Kakamega County. Former Min of Planning & National Development] appeared before the Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives chaired by Ikolomani Member of Parliament,Hon. Bernard Shinali during the consideration of the Financial Year 2026/27 Annual Estimates of Revenue and Expenditure. I emphasized that the Ministry’s programmes must deliver real value to Kenyans at the grassroots.Whether through cooperatives or MSMEs, our focus is on the farmer, the trader, the artisan, the youth entrepreneur, the woman in business,the SACCO member and the small producer working to improve their livelihood. On cooperatives,I highlighted the importance of the cooperative model in supporting smallholder farmers, especially in coffee and dairy, through aggregation, access to credit, value addition and stronger market linkages. I also appealed for support to the Coffee Cherry Fund, coffee seedlings, the coffee debt waiver and other interventions that directly cushion farmers. On MSMEs, I noted that the Hustler Fund continues to meet a real need among small traders and low income earners. I also called for enhanced support to Uwezo Fund, NYOTA, Kenya Industrial Estates, Constituency Industrial Development Centres and the East African Community MSME Trade Fair, which remain critical in supporting enterprise growth, industrialization and market access. As a Ministry,our commitment is to ensure that public resources translate into visible service, real opportunity and practical impact for Kenyans. I thank the Committee for its continued guidance and support as we work together to strengthen cooperatives, MSMEs and livelihoods across the country.