Siaya County Jua Kali Umbrella Association is proudly participating in the 25th EAC Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprise (MSME) Trade Fair happening at Uhuru Gardens in Nairobi.
This year’s theme is “Advancing Innovation and Regional Value Chains for Competitive MSMEs Towards Sustainable Development,” and our team is ready to showcase their incredible craftsmanship and creativity.
The event has been presided over by the Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Entreprises (MSMEs) Hon. Wickliffe Oparanya. CS Oparanya has been flanked by Principal Secretaries Susan Mang’eni (State Department of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises Development), Ms. Rebecca Ombam (Trade), Amb. Dr. Caroline Karugu (East African Community Affairs) among others. Other participating countries include; Burundi, Rwanda, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia.
The delegation from Siaya is led by the County Executive Committee Member in charge of Trade, Enterprise, Cooperatives, and Industrialization Mrs. Grace Agola.
Recognizing the economic potential of the Jua Kali sector, the County Government of Siaya has provided critical support through its Department of Trade, Enterprise, Cooperatives, and Industrialization. Key initiatives include:
• Construction of a Jua Kali shed equipped with electricity and water to improve the working environment.
• Access to affordable loans through county-backed SACCOs and enterprise funds tailored for small-scale businesses.
• Regular workshops and training programs in collaboration with technical institutes, equipping artisans with technical and business skills.
• Participation in trade fairs and exhibitions to showcase their work. In 2024, the Siaya County Jua Kali Association represented the county at the 24th Annual Trade Fair in Juba, South Sudan, themed “Promotion of Unique Innovations and Skills Development Amongst East African Community Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).” The event united East African countries to foster technology-driven innovations and enhance regional trade. Siaya artisans also excelled at the 2023 Trade Fair in Bujumbura, Burundi, securing first place for their innovative products. They attributed their success to dedication, a willingness to learn, and adopting best practices from such platforms.
The Jua Kali sector remains a cornerstone of economic resilience and grassroots development. The synergy between local artisans’ ingenuity and the Nyalore Government’s strategic support demonstrates that sustainable development can begin at the community level.
Looking ahead, the county is exploring partnerships with national agencies and NGOs to introduce advanced technologies, improve safety standards, and create digital marketplaces for Jua Kali products.