Lengapiani, MBS

Together with my colleague Principal Secretaries Hon. Susan Auma Mang'eni @SusanAMangeni (State Department for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises) and Mr. Harry Kimtai @KimtaiHarry (Mining), we held a strategic follow-up engagement to deepen collaboration under the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project (KJET), with a strong focus on advancing opportunities within the blue economy and mining value chains. This engagement centred on unlocking practical pathways through which organised groups operating across these sectors can meaningfully benefit from KJET interventions and drive enterprise growth, job creation and sustainable livelihoods. We noted with satisfaction that both the State Department for the Blue Economy and the State Department for Mining have already undertaken critical groundwork, including mapping viable business cases and identifying organised groups within priority value chains. In this regard, we reaffirmed our commitment to build on existing progress, ensuring alignment and avoiding duplication of efforts. Going forward, we are firmly aligned on leveraging established government and community structures to accelerate impact because sustainable transformation is most effective when it strengthens rather than replaces what already works.

Strengthening coordination within the MSME ecosystem remains a critical pillar in enabling enterprises to grow from micro to small and ultimately to medium-sized businesses. This progression is essential for unlocking the sector’s full potential in creating sustainable jobs and driving inclusive economic growth. I held a productive meeting with the team from the @SNV_AgriFood Investing in Young Business in Africa (IYBA) SEED Project, led by Rebecca Hallam, SNV Country Director, Kenya and Burundi, to explore how SNV can provide technical support to design and operationalise a coordinated MSME ecosystem in Kenya. I was joined by my colleagues @KimtaiHarry Principal Secretary State Department for Mining, and @PS_Betsy_Njagi Njagi, Principal Secretary, State Department for Blue Economy and Fisheries, whose portfolios are among the Government’s priority value chains and present significant opportunities for youth employment, enterprise growth, and investment. Our discussions also explored the importance of accrediting Business Development Service (BDS) providers and strengthening partnerships with institutions of higher learning to nurture entrepreneurial skills while students are still on campus. This will help young people transition more smoothly into enterprise and innovation after graduation. Through these collaborations, we aim to develop a more coordinated MSME ecosystem in Kenya, one that enables enterprises to grow, innovate, and contribute meaningfully to economic development. @

I joined my fellow Principal Secretaries for the 3rd Principal Secretaries’ Meeting of 2026, convened by the Hon @koske_felix , Chief of Staff and Head of the Public Service, to review progress in the implementation of the Government’s agenda and deliberate on strategies to accelerate the achievement of key national priorities. Guided by the One Government approach, we reaffirmed our collective commitment to strengthening coordination, enhancing efficiency, and sustaining momentum in delivering impactful results for the people of Kenya. These engagements are critical in fast-tracking a results-driven approach that translates policy into tangible outcomes, improves service delivery, and advances national development priorities, particularly in empowering MSMEs and strengthening the broader economy. #MSMEKenya

Institutions of higher learning play a critical role in preparing young people for a future in enterprise even while they are still on campus. The evolving model by the @MastercardFdn is a strong example of this approach, providing enhanced start-up funding that empowers young people to return to their communities and drive sustainable wealth creation. I hosted a team from the University of Pretoria (@UPTuks) and the Mastercard Foundation to explore practical ways of unlocking youth enterprise and strengthening MSME value chains through targeted investments, skills development, and structured enterprise support. To date, 397 scholars from across the continent have benefited from the program, with start-up funding of between USD 3,000 and USD 5,000. This support is specifically designed to enable youth-led enterprises to grow within their local communities. As a State Department, we are on course to strengthen MSMEs to enhance competitiveness and scalability, and expand market linkages to local, regional, and international markets. #MSMEkenya

@lengapiani @MSEA_Kenya @SusanAMangeni @MSMEs_KE @DrOparanya

@UwezoFund participated in the Coffee Revitalization Sensitization Forum at Bahati Grounds, Nakuru County, graced by Wycliffe Oparanya. The initiative marks a key milestone in revitalizing Kenya’s coffee sector. #CoffeeRevitalization @lengapiani @SusanAMangeni @annie_njenga

A blessed Palm Sunday! May peace, hope, and God’s grace fill your heart today and throughout the week ahead.

Developing nations around the world are projected to require 1.2 billion new jobs over the next 15 years, yet the formal sector is expected to generate only about 30 per cent of these opportunities. This reality makes the jobs challenge not only a development issue, but also a critical social and economic stability concern. In Kenya, nearly one million young people enter the job market every year, while the formal sector has the capacity to create only about 200,000 jobs annually. This gap calls for a deliberate shift in how we think about employment creation. Government and the private sector must therefore work closely to empower young people to become job creators rather than job seekers. This requires a supportive policy environment and deliberate measures to grow and scale MSMEs, which remain the backbone of job creation. Key enablers include strengthening business skills training, expanding access to affordable credit, and aligning academic curricula to better prepare learners for entrepreneurship and self-employment. This Afternoon i joined an eminent panel at the Jobs for Youth in Africa Summit 2026, where we discussed ways to enhance business environment reforms for job creation and strengthen youth and vulnerable groups’ linkages to value chains. We are leading the way in supporting enterprise development through initiatives such as the NYOTA Project and the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) Project, which are nationwide efforts aimed at catalysing a vibrant enterprise ecosystem and laying the foundation for a broad-based enterprise movement across the country. Furthermore, we are collaborating with enterprise ecosystem partners such as the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers to create structured mentorship frameworks for young entrepreneurs. These partnerships will offer practical experience, market insights, and guidance to support young people in transforming their ideas, skills, and innovations into productive and sustainable enterprises.

Over KSh 8.1 billion to empower Women, Youth & PWD is no small achievement. This is strategic, grassroots economic transformation. Keep driving impact where it matters most. CEO @lengapiani @UwezoFund for exemplary leadership @annie_njenga @SusanAMangeni #semaNaSpox 🇰🇪

Tune in @annie_njenga @@lengapiani @SusanAMangeni @MSEA_Kenya @hustlerfund_KE @DrOparanya

📢 TUNE IN! Join us on Sema na Spox – Bonga na Gava this Thursday, 5th March 2026 at 8:00 PM on KBC Channel 1. @annie_njenga @@lengapiani @SusanAMangeni @MSEA_Kenya @hustlerfund_KE @DrOparanya

The Gitaru Interchange, Kiambu County.

That was a great #SemaNaSpox show. I am impressed by the commitment of the @NYOTA_Kenya entrepreneurs to becoming successful entrepreneurs! @SpokespersonGoK @MwauraIsaac1 @KBCChannel1 #PesaMfukoni

The International Trade Centre (ITC) has established its Regional Office in Nairobi, which is now being operationalised. This will unlock new opportunities for partnerships aimed at accelerating the growth and resilience of Kenya’s MSME’ ecosystem. This will be a platform to create a stronger bridge between policy, opportunity and enterprise growth, positioning Kenyan MSMEs to compete, connect and succeed in the global marketplace. This afternoon, I hosted a delegation from ITC led by Deputy Executive Director Dorothy Tembo to explore how we can strengthen our MSME policy framework to better align with evolving market demands, both locally and internationally. Access to markets is critical for the success of MSMEs, especially to access local, regional and international markets, taking advantage of frameworks such as the AfCFTA. Our enterprises need structured pathways to participate meaningfully in trade. This includes building strong aggregation systems and sustainable off-taking mechanisms that connect MSMEs to real market demand. We also discussed Kenya’s contribution to an upcoming Ministerial policy exchange that has brought together over 70 countries to foster peer learning and share best practices in MSME development.

This morning, I joined colleagues in a meeting chaired by the Deputy President, H.E. @_KithureKindiki, to review progress on job creation programmes and set new targets for 2026. Since September 2022, the Government has rolled out deliberate and practical programmes to create jobs and income opportunities for our youth and hustlers.Already, over 300,000 formal public sector jobs have been created, 500,000 opportunities through affordable housing and markets under Kazi kwa Ground, and more than 316,000 digital jobs through Kazi Mtandaoni.Thousands more have secured opportunities through Kazi Majuu, Climate Worx, blue economy initiatives and support to small businesses under programmes such as NYOTA. We agreed to scale up even further. Our target now is to create more than one million jobs through housing and infrastructure programmes, one million through digital and online work, one million through labour mobility abroad and expanded opportunities across the blue economy and micro enterprise sector. Our focus remains clear. Real jobs. Real opportunities. Real income for our youth. As a people facing ministry working closely with hustlers, MSMEs and cooperatives, we remain committed to ensuring that every Kenyan has a fair chance to work, earn and grow.

The livestock value chain is a priority sector under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), with immense potential to create sustainable employment opportunities for our youth through the various programs currently being implemented by the Government. I hosted my colleague, @jmueke , Principal Secretary for Livestock Development, for a consultative meeting to explore practical areas of collaboration aimed at empowering MSMEs across the livestock value chain. We were also joined by Dr Tedson Nyongesa, National Project Coordinator of the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project @KJETProject_Ke) The KJET Project provides targeted support to enterprises within the livestock value chains through Business Development Services (BDS) to strengthen enterprise capacity, improve governance structures, and enhance market readiness. In addition, the project offers co-investment support for critical infrastructure such as coolers and cold-chain equipment. These investments will improve aggregation, processing, and value addition capabilities while boosting competitiveness in both local and export markets. By aligning #livestock production with MSME development initiatives, we will create a stronger, more integrated ecosystem that maximises returns across the value chain. This will unlock new opportunities, create new jobs, and position the sector as a leading driver of economic development.

This morning, I participated in a working session hosted by our Deputy President,H.E. Prof @_KithureKindiki alongside various Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and Heads of Government Agencies, to review progress on youth employment and income creation initiatives. The Government is implementing a five-pronged approach to generate job opportunities across sectors: the affordable housing program, Kazi Majuu (Labour Export Program), blue economy jobs, digital opportunities, Kazi Kwa Ground (enhanced recruitment across Government), and MSME empowerment through initiatives such as the @NYOTA_Kenya Project and the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (@KJETProject_Ke) Project. These interventions are advancing inclusive economic growth and ensuring that more young people can access dignified work, build enterprises, and contribute meaningfully to Kenya’s transformation journey.

The Church remains an indispensable partner in Kenya’s development, playing a transformative role across critical sectors, including health, education, social services, and community empowerment. Its enduring presence at the grassroots continues to uplift lives and strengthen the moral fabric of our society. At State House, Nairobi, hosted leaders of the Methodist Church in Kenya and reaffirmed my administration’s commitment to working closely with faith-based institutions in advancing our shared development agenda. Assured them of Government support, including the intention to pay debts of up to KSh2 billion owed to Methodist University, enabling the institution to continue delivering essential services without undue financial strain. Called upon the Church to complement Government efforts in combatting drug and substance abuse by providing moral leadership, spiritual guidance, and mentorship to our youth. Together, we shall nurture a generation grounded in strong values, discipline, and purpose, and secure a brighter future for our nation.

Mzee Michael Okumu Otuoma was a respected patriarch in the community, known for his unwavering commitment to family, his strong work ethic, and his kindness. He was a principled man, a skilled businessman, and a man of deep faith. I joined friends, family, and neighbours in Bunandi Village, Samia Sub-County, to lay him to rest and to celebrate a life well lived. During the service, I reiterated the call made by H.E. Hon. Paul Otuoma, Governor of Busia County, on the importance of collaboration between the National and County Governments to accelerate development projects in the region for the benefit of our people. May his legacy endure in the hearts of all who knew him. Rest in peace, Mzee Michael Okumu Otuoma.

I hosted Ms. Tara Nathan, Executive Vice President, Growth Segments at Mastercard, for a courtesy call this afternoon to explore strategic partnerships aimed at accelerating digital transformation across Kenya’s coffee value chain. I was joined by Mr. Patrick Kilemi, Principal Secretary for Co-operatives. Our discussions focused on leveraging digital innovation to deepen value across the coffee ecosystem and ensure that Kenyan farmers fully benefit from our globally competitive coffee. Through Mastercard’s Community Pass platform, we are already witnessing impactful work on the ground, including the conversion of 13 cooperatives into digital hubs that are connecting farmers to financial services, inputs and markets.