Likuyani, Kakamega County, June 16, 2025 — More than 100,000 small enterprises across Kenya are set to benefit from a KSh5 billion grant, President William Ruto has announced, in a major boost aimed at uplifting micro and small businesses and supporting the country’s bottom-up economic transformation agenda.
Speaking during an interdenominational service at Friends Comprehensive School Kivaywa in Likuyani, Kakamega County, the President said the initiative, implemented in partnership with the World Bank, will see KSh50,000 awarded to 70 small-scale entrepreneurs in each of Kenya’s 1,450 wards — totaling KSh3.5 million per ward.
“This empowerment is not a façade or a temporary programme; it is part of our manifesto and will uplift those at the bottom of the economic pyramid,” President Ruto stated.
The President was accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Environment CS Deborah Mlongo, Governors Fernandes Barasa (Kakamega), Ken Lusaka (Bungoma), Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), and several MPs.
He emphasized the government’s broader commitment to uniting Kenyans across tribal, regional, and religious lines and implementing transformational programmes. These include agricultural reforms, universal health coverage, affordable housing, modern fresh produce markets, and digital jobs.
“Our agenda is anchored on unity and cooperation. Transforming Kenya requires collective effort,” he said.
President Ruto also criticized those opposing the government’s initiatives, accusing them of lacking alternative development plans and promoting tribalism and division.
He cited agricultural reforms—such as subsidized fertilizer and revived maize, sugar, and coffee sub-sectors—as major milestones. He urged Kenyans to register with the Social Health Authority (SHA), revealing that 4.5 million citizens have already accessed health services worth KSh41 billion under SHA since October 2024.
On job creation, the President noted ongoing efforts including the Affordable Housing Programme, digital economy investments, labour export, and construction of produce markets. “Over 400,000 Kenyan youth are currently employed abroad,” he said.
In Kakamega County, the President revealed that KSh3 billion has been allocated to connect 35,000 households to electricity. He also announced the resumption of stalled road projects and upcoming national infrastructure developments, including the dualling of the Rironi-Mau Summit-Eldoret-Malaba road in August and the Standard Gauge Railway extension from Naivasha, set to begin later this year.
Speaker Wetang’ula lauded the President for uniting the country, while Nairobi Governor Sakaja assured that government projects are being distributed equitably. Bungoma Governor Lusaka said Ruto’s development record positions him well for a second term, and Kakamega Governor Barasa called for justice in the murder case of Albert Ojwang.
Written By Rodney Mbua
