By John Kariuki
Kenya’s micro and small enterprises have just received a powerful boost. The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA) has concluded the first nationwide Business Development Services (BDS) training under the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) Project, reaching 94 clusters across all 47 counties. For five weeks, from November 10 to December 11, 2025, selected groups were immersed in a rigorous 12‑module curriculum designed to sharpen competitiveness, improve productivity, and prepare MSMEs to thrive in modern markets.
The training is part of Component 2 of the KJET Project, which targets priority value chains under the Bottom‑up Economic Transformation Agenda, including edible oils, construction materials, textiles, rice, tea, coffee, dairy, leather, the blue economy, and minerals. By focusing on clusters rather than isolated enterprises, the programme aims to give small businesses the scale and structure needed to negotiate competitively, adopt technology, and access finance.
Principal Secretary for MSMEs Development, Hon. Susan Mang’eni, underscored the transformational nature of the initiative during monitoring visits in Kiambu and Kajiado. “The KJET Project is redefining how Kenya supports its micro and small enterprises. Our focus is no longer on isolated interventions, but on coordinated, structured, and high‑impact support that strengthens entire clusters and value chains,” she said.
The sessions featured hands‑on exercises, case studies, and interactive group work led by experienced facilitators, equipping MSMEs with practical skills to formalize operations, expand market access, and build sustainable businesses. With the classroom phase complete, all 94 clusters will now enter a three‑month mentorship programme, receiving tailored support to apply lessons learned and refine operations.
MSEA has urged eligible cooperatives, associations, and cluster‑based MSMEs to apply for Cohort 2 of the BDS training before December 31, 2025, through the official portal. The momentum created by Cohort 1 signals a new chapter in Kenya’s economic transformation, one where small enterprises are no longer left to struggle alone but are empowered to grow collectively.
The message is unmistakable: Kenya’s future prosperity will not be built on fragmented efforts but on strong, competitive clusters driving inclusive growth. For MSMEs, the KJET Project is more than training—it is the launchpad to scale, sustainability, and a redefined role in Kenya’s economic destiny.
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