The Siaya County Juakali sector captivated attendees at the recent Trade Fair by showcasing beautifully drawn portraits of South Sudan President H.E. Salva Kiir Mayardit and Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives, Medium, Small, and Micro-Enterprise Development, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya. The art pieces, crafted by Juakali artisans, drew widespread admiration, and the exhibition as a whole underscored the exceptional talent and creativity within Siaya's artisan community. The display not only highlighted artistic skill but also helped to spotlight the county's rich cultural heritage, which was warmly received by those present at the event.
Participants at the fair were particularly impressed by the range and quality of artwork produced by Siaya’s artisans. Hon. Grace Agolla, Siaya County's Committee Member for Trade, Cooperative, Enterprise, and Industrialization, praised the exhibitors for their outstanding contributions, stating, “We appreciate the Siaya exhibitors for always standing out in such events.” She further assured them of the County Government's continued commitment to support their endeavors by securing more market opportunities and promoting economic integration through platforms like these trade fairs, which enable local artisans to gain regional and international visibility.
Cabinet Secretary Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, who served as the Chief Guest at the event, themed "Kenyan Day," emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to strengthen trade ties. "I challenge stakeholders to consider incorporating investors to create formidable linkages,” he remarked, stressing the benefits of forming partnerships to support exports, particularly in sectors such as honey and nut production. CS Oparanya encouraged traders to move beyond internal competition and instead focus on competing globally with countries such as India and Singapore. This strategic approach, he explained, would unlock larger markets and foster growth within Kenya’s economy.
Reflecting on the untapped potential of Kenyan enterprises, Hon. Oparanya highlighted the opportunity for Kenyan businesses to expand into Africa’s free trade areas. He assured Kenyan entrepreneurs that the government is actively working to open up new trade avenues across the continent. This outreach initiative is part of Kenya’s broader mission to stimulate growth in the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) sector and expand their impact within Africa’s economic landscape. By participating in trade fairs like these, Kenyan traders gain critical exposure, facilitating valuable connections that pave the way for expansion and enhanced market access.
However, according to the East Africa Union, Kenyan MSMEs still face significant challenges that limit their potential, including increased competition and technological barriers. These challenges make it difficult for many small businesses to adopt and innovate best practices, thus hindering their growth in a rapidly advancing global market. Despite these obstacles, trade fairs and events that encourage international partnerships represent a vital step toward overcoming such limitations and realizing the full potential of Kenya's MSME sector.