SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS URGED TO FORM COOPERATIVES TO ACCESS GOVERNMENT GRANTS AND FINANCING
The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) has urged small business owners in Isiolo County to form cooperatives and business associations to enhance their access to government grants, financing opportunities, and other support programs aimed at strengthening enterprises across the country.
Speaking during a business exhibition held in Isiolo Town, MSEA Chief Executive Officer Henry Rithaa said the initiative is part of the government’s broader economic transformation agenda that seeks to empower micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).
Hundreds of entrepreneurs who attended the exhibition are expected to benefit from improved access to opportunities, enhanced coordination, and structured support designed to help businesses grow and become more competitive.
Rithaa said the initiative focuses on strengthening organized business groups by providing institutional support, improving access to resources, and creating sustainable pathways for enterprise development.
He noted that cooperatives and associations play a vital role in helping small businesses overcome common challenges such as limited market access, inadequate financing, and capacity constraints.
“Through training programs, stakeholder engagement, and institutional support, MSEA aims to build stronger business networks capable of driving innovation, creating jobs, and promoting inclusive economic growth,” said Rithaa.
He identified several sectors that stand to benefit significantly from the initiative, including camel milk production and marketing, poultry and horticulture farming, livestock trading, the leather industry, and the arts and crafts sector.
Rithaa encouraged organized groups involved in camel milk production to invest in value addition in order to increase earnings from their products. He said government funding programs could assist such groups in acquiring equipment and establishing processing facilities.
He further pointed to the upcoming Isiolo modern abattoir as a major economic opportunity for livestock traders and farmers. However, he cautioned that local producers must adequately prepare to meet the expected rise in demand for livestock once the facility becomes operational.
Isiolo Deputy Governor Dr. James Lowasa said the completion of the Isiolo Aggregation Centre and the modern abattoir would significantly boost business activities across the county.
Lowasa also called on investors to consider establishing a leather tanning industry that would complement the abattoir and create additional value within the livestock sector.
Isiolo County Commissioner Chaunga Mwachaunga urged entrepreneurs to take advantage of government programs and initiatives designed to support business growth and improve livelihoods.
