Uasin gishu: The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) is intensifying efforts to integrate Jua Kali artisans into the Affordable Housing Programme and ESP Markets in Uasin Gishu County, a move aimed at boosting inclusivity and creating sustainable livelihoods. Speaking in an interview with KNA during site visits for Jua Kali artisans working for AHP projects, MSEA Northrift Regional Coordinator CPA Alton Kogo emphasized that the initiative seeks to position informal sector players at the heart of construction value chains by linking them directly to contractors and developers undertaking housing projects in the region.
According to Kenya News Agency, the authority has played a central role in formalizing and linking Jua Kali micro and small enterprises (MSEs) to available jobs at affordable housing projects across various locations in the county. The initiative has formalized over 150 Jua Kali artisans, issuing them with certificates and providing opportunities to fabricate materials for housing units. Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) groups have also been part of this transformative effort.
Kogo highlighted that this initiative not only provides employment opportunities but also opens up new markets for locally produced materials. MSEs across Uasin Gishu have benefited from the supply of materials with a business value of approximately Sh400 million. Youths who previously had no jobs have now completed multiple Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) worth more than Sh8 million, significantly impacting their livelihoods.
The government has been commended for supporting the Jua Kali sector through this transformative initiative. MSEA has intensified capacity-building efforts to ensure artisans meet industry standards, equipping them with technical expertise and business management skills. Artisans are encouraged to formalize their enterprises to improve eligibility for government tenders and enhance access to financing and regulatory support.
Elijah Kiambati, a leader of the Affordable Jua Kali Association, Uasin Gishu, noted that the demand for their products has turned Jua Kali work into a stable source of income. He credited the President's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) for including artisans in the affordable housing programme, which has allowed him to improve his livelihood significantly.
Fanuel Anyanga Temba, an instructor for artisans, highlighted some challenges, such as rising steel prices, and called for government intervention. Despite these challenges, artisans like Fredrick Mbede and Kelly Kibet have experienced financial growth and improved access to credit through their involvement in the AHP projects, which have also provided them with valuable experience and exposure.