The Government has established eight Constituency Industrial Development Centers in Kakamega to spur economic development by supporting Small Micro Enterprises (SMEs).
The Centres which will provide space for SMEs to operate from have been set up in Ikolomani, Lurambi, Malava, Lugari, Khwisero, Mumias, Matungu and Butere.
Officers from the Ministry of Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development led by Kimani Kiiru represented the Principal Secretary State Department of Trade, Amb Johnson Weru, during the inspection of readiness of use of Ikolomani CDIC.
In the Sh11million center, traders will have access to utilities such as electricity power, water and industrial shades by those in the Jua Kali Sector and manufacturing.
“Each industrial development center is equipped with equipment depending on the raw materials available in the area of operation,” he noted.
For instance, through the Ikolomani CDIC, Kiiru said, the government was keen to support trade associations such as Malinya carpenters’ association, mechanics, welders’ association, traders’ association and hairdressers’ association.
“These associations are there to support the small business persons in the constituency. They are provided with the infrastructure where they can run their business, capacity building is also offered to them where they are trained of the most recent technologies so that they can compete with their peers across the region,” he added.
An officer from the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) in Kakamega, Edward Karani, noted that apart from setting up the CDICs, the government through the Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunity Programme (KYEOP) has set aside Sh123million for youth in the county with more than 396 youth benefiting.
By Cynthia Kerubo
