The County Government of Uasin Gishu, in partnership with SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and the Investing in Young Business in Africa (IYBA) Seed Hub, on Tuesday held a validation workshop under the MSME Challenge Program. The forum brought together private sector stakeholders, including Enterprise Support Organisations (ESOs), Business Membership Organisations (BMOs), and relevant county institutions.
The primary goal of the session was to explore strategic partnerships focused on policy advocacy and institutional coaching to foster a more enabling business environment.
The session, which was attended by Deputy Governor H.E. Evans Kapkea and other senior county officials, saw the proposal of several priority areas for collaboration. These include the development of key policy frameworks namely, the Trade and Markets Policy, the Investment Policy, and the Tourism Policy all aimed at building a resilient, inclusive, and prosperous county.
This initiative, which is also active in Nakuru and Kisumu counties, seeks to strengthen the capacity of ESOs, BMOs, and county governments to formulate, implement, and monitor inclusive and effective policies.
A critical aspect of the initiative is its focus on inclusivity. SNV emphasized the need to involve marginalized groups—particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities—in the policy development process. Capacity building through training and coaching of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), cooperatives, and creatives, as well as gender mainstreaming, were also highlighted as key areas of focus.
Once operationalized, the partnership is expected to enhance institutional capacity at both the county and grassroots levels, promoting transparency, accountability, and responsiveness in governance. It aims to establish a participatory framework where diverse stakeholder voices contribute meaningfully to policy discussions and decision-making.
According to Deputy Governor Kapkea, the Trade and Markets Policy will address core issues such as market infrastructure, governance, licensing, sanitation, and fairness in trade.
“The Investment Policy will streamline investment processes, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and define incentives that will attract and retain investors in key sectors. Tourism, though less exploited, holds tremendous potential for our county. We are rich in culture, sports heritage, natural attractions, and hospitality. The Tourism Policy we are developing aims to unlock these assets by building strong partnerships, investing in infrastructure, and promoting community-based and eco-tourism models,” explained Kapkea.
Kapkea also thanked the partners for choosing Uasin Gishu and urged Members of the County Assembly, the legal team, and all other stakeholders to give the policy frameworks the attention they deserve. He emphasized that their adoption would position Uasin Gishu as a model county for inclusive governance and economic excellence.
Among the officials present were County Assembly Committee Chair for Trade Hon. Kirwa Kemboi and CECM for Education Lucy Ng’endo.
