Thousands of small-scale businesses across the country are set to benefit from a new government support programme that will provide non-repayable grants starting next month.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on Wednesday, September 9, said the money will be disbursed to traders to help them acquire equipment for small-scale manufacturing.

Kindiki said the Kenya Jobs for Economic Transformation (KJET) programme will begin rolling out in October, targeting entrepreneurs, particularly those operating in rural and underserved communities.

“The government will roll out the KJET programme effective next month to support thousands of micro and small business enterprises across the country,” Kindiki announced.

📌 What You Need to Know

Under the Ksh19.5 billion programme, selected groups of small businesses will receive grants covering 50 per cent of the cost of shared equipment to help them process and add value to their products.

The grants will be disbursed in three cohorts in October, November and January, with beneficiaries selected from every county, constituency and ward to ensure equitable access to the programme.

Kindiki said the programme would focus on enterprises involved in value addition and small-scale manufacturing, including dairy, coffee, tea, leather, artisanal mining, the blue economy and edible oils.

“Clusters of micro and small enterprises selected equitably from every county, constituency and ward level will be assisted with common user equipment to add value,” he noted.

Speaking at his Karen residence in Nairobi, Kindiki directed relevant government departments to work together and expedite preparations ahead of the programme's launch.

Kindiki said KJET would adopt an approach similar to the NYOTA project by prioritising rural entrepreneurs who have long struggled to access government support because of the informal nature of their businesses.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke