MSEA-nurtured SevenTwenty Holdings triumphs at KEPSA SME awards, showcasing the power of local innovation
The Mt Kenya Times 
Among those receiving the prestigious Imara Business Innovation Award at the KEPSA 3rd Annual SME Conference, Awards & Exhibition is SevenTwenty Holdings CEO Mr. Kenneth Kariuki, whose visionary leadership has transformed a humble Jua Kali workshop into one of Kenya's fastest-growing manufacturing success stories.
Local manufacturer wins KSh 225,000 top prize at annual national conference
By Waithaka Kariuki
The atmosphere at All Saints Cathedral was electric yesterday as the KEPSA 3rd Annual SME Conference, Awards and Exhibition concluded with a colourful awards ceremony celebrating Kenya’s most innovative and resilient micro, small and medium enterprises, underscoring the transformative impact of entrepreneurship on the country’s economic future.
Representing Micro and Small Enterprises Authority Director General Henry Rithaa, MSEA Director of Business Development, Marketing and Trade Caroline Kaua presided over the SME Enabler Awards, the opening category of the evening. She presented appreciation awards to the judges, including officers from MSEA and key partner institutions, who undertook the rigorous evaluation process to identify the country’s most outstanding enterprises.
In remarks delivered on behalf of Rithaa, Kaua reminded participants that every successful enterprise begins with a bold dream nurtured through determination and resilience.
“Resilient businesses are born from humble beginnings—in kitchens, garages and market stalls. The future belongs to entrepreneurs who are willing to learn, innovate and continuously adapt to changing market demands,” Rithaa said.
Rithaa highlighted MSEA’s commitment to supporting entrepreneurs throughout their growth journey by connecting them to local and international markets, facilitating access to modern machinery through the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project, and working closely with partners such as Make it Kenya to improve product quality, branding and certification.
He further noted that flagship programmes such as the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement Project and the Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation Project are empowering thousands of young entrepreneurs and small enterprises through mentorship, startup grants, digital transformation, enterprise clustering and business development services. These interventions are reducing production costs, improving competitiveness and unlocking new market opportunities.
Rithaa emphasised that Kenya’s economic transformation will only be realised through strong public-private partnerships involving institutions such as MSEA, the Kenya Bureau of Standards, financial institutions, county governments and development partners working together to create an enabling environment where enterprises can innovate, grow sustainably and compete confidently in regional and global markets.
The defining moment of the evening came during the presentation of the coveted Imara Business Innovation Award, where SevenTwenty Holdings emerged as the overall winner, walking away with the grand prize of KSh 225,000. The victory was particularly significant for MSEA, as SevenTwenty Holdings is among the enterprises that have benefited from the authority’s business development and enterprise support programmes.
The remarkable achievement serves as a shining example of what is possible when determination meets strategic institutional support. It reflects the success of MSEA’s commitment to nurturing local enterprises from startup stage into nationally recognised manufacturers capable of transforming industries and creating employment opportunities.
The story of SevenTwenty Holdings is one of extraordinary resilience, innovation and unwavering belief in Kenyan manufacturing.
The company began as a modest Jua Kali workshop driven by a simple but powerful vision—to replace imported construction products with durable, high-quality alternatives proudly manufactured in Kenya using locally available raw materials and skilled Kenyan labour.
Starting with the production of basic curtain rods and brackets, the company steadily expanded its operations through continuous innovation, investment in quality and a relentless commitment to meeting customer needs.
Today, SevenTwenty Holdings has evolved into one of Kenya’s fastest-growing manufacturers, producing thousands of premium construction products every day and supplying a rapidly expanding market with locally made solutions that meet international standards.
Behind this remarkable success is Chief Executive Officer Kenneth Kariuki, a visionary and ambitious entrepreneur whose leadership has transformed a small workshop into a thriving manufacturing enterprise. His strategic outlook, passion for industrialisation and unwavering belief in local production have positioned SevenTwenty Holdings as an inspiring example of Kenyan entrepreneurship at its very best.
Under Kariuki’s stewardship, the company has demonstrated that local manufacturers can successfully compete with imported products by prioritising quality, innovation and customer satisfaction. His journey embodies the entrepreneurial spirit that MSEA continues to champion across the country.
The recognition of SevenTwenty Holdings at the KEPSA SME Awards not only celebrates the company’s impressive achievements but also reinforces the enormous potential that exists within Kenya’s sector. It illustrates how targeted support, strategic partnerships and visionary leadership can transform small enterprises into nationally acclaimed businesses that contribute meaningfully to industrialisation, job creation and economic growth.
As Kenya continues to pursue inclusive economic transformation under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, the success of enterprises such as SevenTwenty Holdings demonstrates that the country’s future will be built by innovative local businesses capable of creating value, generating employment and strengthening Kenya’s manufacturing base.
For MSEA, the victory is more than an award—it is a powerful affirmation that investing in small enterprises yields lasting dividends for entrepreneurs, communities and the nation at large.
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