About the Department
Background
The Department of Trade, Enterprise, Industrialization & Cooperatives supports the private sector that drives county employment. Its mandate covers trade development, market infrastructure, fair trade practices, industrial promotion and cooperative development.
From the county’s open-air markets and boda boda enterprises to SACCOs and value-addition ventures, the department exists to make it easier, fairer and more profitable to do business in the county.
Legal Mandate
The department derives its mandate from:
- The Constitution of Kenya, 2010 (Fourth Schedule, Part 2)
- The County Governments Act, 2012
- The Cooperative Societies Act, Cap 490
- The Legal Metrology Act and Weights and Measures Act, Cap 513
- The Micro and Small Enterprises Act, 2012
Constitutional Functions
- Trade development and market infrastructure management
- Fair trade practices, weights and measures enforcement
- Support to micro, small and medium enterprises
- Industrial promotion and value addition
- Registration, regulation and audit of cooperative societies
- Consumer protection and business licensing support
Core Responsibilities
- Constructing and maintaining modern markets and stalls
- Administering the county enterprise fund
- Verifying and stamping weighing and measuring equipment
- Facilitating market linkages, trade fairs and exhibitions
- Training cooperative leadership on governance and finance
- Promoting agro-processing and industrial parks
A vibrant, industrialised county economy where enterprise and cooperatives thrive
Purpose
To create an enabling environment for trade, enterprise, industry and cooperatives through fair regulation, modern infrastructure and targeted business support.
Core Values
Integrity
Honest, ethical conduct in every transaction and decision.
Accountability
Responsible use of public resources with clear reporting.
Professionalism
Technical excellence and respect in service delivery.
Innovation
Embracing new methods, data and technology.
Teamwork
Collaboration across directorates and with partners.
Inclusivity
Services accessible to all, including youth, women and PWDs.
Transparency
Open processes, published data and clear communication.
Sustainability
Protecting resources for future generations.
Departmental Leadership
Meet the executive and technical leadership steering the department’s mandate.
Hon. Christine Jenifer Akinyi
Professional Profile
Key Responsibilities
- Trade and industrial policy formulation
- Representation in the County Executive Committee
- Accounting Officer for the departmental budget
- Private sector and investor engagement
Mr Michael Oliech Ombambo
Professional Profile
Key Responsibilities
- Departmental administration and budget execution
- Supervision of markets and trade officers
- Coordination of enterprise fund disbursement
- Implementation of the annual work plan
Directorates & Units
Select a directorate to view its mandate, objectives, functions and team.
Trade Development & Markets
Mandate
To develop trade infrastructure and promote orderly, profitable commerce.
Objectives
- Modernise five markets by 2027
- Formalise informal traders
- Increase market stall occupancy to 95%
Functions
- Market construction, allocation and management
- Trader registration and sensitisation
- Trade fairs and market linkage events
- Market cleanliness and safety coordination
Team
Enterprise & MSME Support
Mandate
To grow micro, small and medium enterprises through finance, skills and linkages.
Objectives
- Disburse the county enterprise fund to 2,000 MSMEs
- Train 5,000 entrepreneurs annually
- Establish business information desks in all sub-counties
Functions
- Administration of the county enterprise fund
- Business development services and mentorship
- Business incubation and start-up support
- Market and finance linkage facilitation
Team
Industrialization
Mandate
To attract investment and promote agro-processing and light manufacturing.
Objectives
- Operationalise the county industrial park
- Support 20 value-addition ventures
- Attract KES 1B in private investment
Functions
- Industrial park planning and management
- Investor facilitation and aftercare
- Value-addition and product development support
- Standards and certification facilitation
Team
Cooperative Development
Mandate
To promote formation, governance and growth of cooperative societies.
Objectives
- Register 40 new societies annually
- Audit 100% of active societies
- Support 10 cooperatives into value addition
Functions
- Registration and regulation of societies
- Governance and financial management training
- Statutory audits and inspections
- Dispute resolution and liquidation
Team
Find a Service
Search or filter services by category. Download the relevant application form where available.
| Service | Description | Target Users | Application Method | Timeline | Fees | Form |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cooperative Society Registration Registration |
Formal registration of new cooperative societies and SACCOs. | Groups, SACCOs | County cooperative office | 14 working days | KES 5,000 | |
| Cooperative Audit Certification Certification |
Annual audit compliance certificate for registered cooperatives. | Cooperative societies | Cooperative office | 30 working days | KES 10,000 | |
| Market Stall Allocation Licensing |
Allocation of stalls and trading spaces in county markets. | Traders | Market master / county office | 10 working days | From KES 1,500/month | |
| Weights & Measures Verification Certification |
Verification and stamping of weighing and measuring equipment. | Traders, millers, fuel dealers | Scheduled inspection | Same day | KES 500 per instrument | |
| County Enterprise Fund Loan Registration |
Affordable credit for micro and small enterprises and groups. | MSMEs, youth & women groups | Sub-county trade office | 21 working days | Free application | |
| Business Advisory & Mentorship Advisory |
Business planning, bookkeeping and marketing support. | Entrepreneurs | Business information desk | 5 working days | Free | |
| Trade Fair & Exhibition Participation Registration |
Sponsored participation in county, national and regional trade fairs. | MSMEs, cooperatives | Application to trade office | Per event calendar | Subsidised | |
| Consumer Complaint Handling Inspections |
Investigation of unfair trade practices and consumer complaints. | Consumers | Trade office complaint desk | 14 working days | Free |
Departmental Projects
Siaya Modern Market Complex
Construction of a modern market with 1,200 stalls, cold storage and sanitation.
County Industrial Park — Phase I
Serviced plots, power and access roads for agro-processing investors.
MSME Digital Credit Platform
Online application, appraisal and repayment for the county enterprise fund.
Ward Market Sheds Programme
Construction of 18 open-air market sheds across rural wards.
Cooperative Governance Audit Rollout
Compliance audits completed for 210 registered societies.
Rice & Fish Value Addition Hub
Shared processing facility for farmer- and fisher-owned specialty products.
County Export Promotion Desk
Support for local producers entering regional and export markets.
Flagship Programmes
Capacity Building
Continuous training for officers and community champions.
Youth Empowerment
Internships, grants and mentorship for young people.
Women Empowerment
Targeted access to opportunity, credit and markets.
Public Participation
Ward forums, budget hearings and citizen feedback.
Climate Action
Climate-resilient planning and greening initiatives.
Digital Transformation
e-Services, open data and automated workflows.
How Our Work Aligns
Every departmental initiative is anchored in county, national and global development frameworks.
CIDP Alignment
Directly implements the sector priorities of the County Integrated Development Plan (CIDP) 2023–2027.
- Sector programme delivery
- Ward-equitable investment
- Enterprise and market development
Annual Development Plan
Translates CIDP priorities into costed annual work plans and budget proposals reviewed each fiscal year.
- FY 2026/27 costed workplan
- Ward-level project prioritization
Sustainable Development Goals
Aligns departmental targets with the global goals adopted by Kenya.
- Measured SDG indicators
- Gender-responsive programming
Governor’s Manifesto
Delivers on the commitments made to residents in the county leadership manifesto.
- Flagship commitments tracked quarterly
- Published delivery scorecard
Performance Contract
Annual targets are cascaded from the CECM through directors to individual staff appraisal.
- Service delivery KPIs
- Quarterly public reporting
Intergovernmental Coordination
Aligned with national sector policy and coordinated through the Council of Governors’ sector committee.
- Joint national–county programmes
- Donor & partner coordination
Documents & Resources
Browse official department documents organised by category.