A group of welders and fabricators from various MSME associations in Uasin Gishu County have secured a business deal worth Sh81 million to fabricate market stalls for the upcoming Eldoret 64 Ultra Market. This significant milestone marks a tangible commitment to integrating MSMEs into the Affordable Housing and Markets program. The contract, awarded through the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises Authority (MSEA), demonstrates the government's agenda to include Jua Kali artisans in large-scale national infrastructure projects.
The awarded contract has been distributed among 25 MSME welder groups and associations, providing jobs for over 300 welders. MSEA Regional Director, North Rift, CPA Alton Kogo, revealed that a total of 375 welders will be involved in the fabrication of the stalls to meet the strict deadlines set for the project. This rapid mobilization is expected to inject direct income into the local economy, empowering grassroots artisans and expanding the county's tax base through formalized economic activity.
CPA Kogo praised the initiative as a landmark move for the MSMEs sector in terms of economic impact and job creation. He urged the artisans to uphold the highest standards of professionalism, emphasizing that this is not just about welding metal but about welding the future of Uasin Gishu's economy. The MSEA Northrift Regional Director affirmed the authority's commitment to ensuring that MSMEs benefit from government projects, fostering enterprise development and contributing significantly to the expansion of the national tax base.
The fabrication work is set to be completed by October 20th, when the president will officially open the Eldoret 64 Ultra Market. The market is poised to become a hub of commerce, and the stalls fabricated by local MSMEs will stand as a testament to the capability of local artisans. Jua Kali MSMEs beneficiaries, including Fanuel Anyanga and Fredrick Mbede, commended the initiative from the government, noting that it has improved their financial status and enabled them to support their families.
Beneficiaries of the Sh81 million deal, including Cecilia Arusei, commended the incorporation of the Jua Kali sector in the Housing and Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets projects. They noted that it uplifts youth living standards through access to jobs and empowers women in Jua Kali. Arusei emphasized that empowering a woman in Jua Kali empowers an entire value chain, from sourcing materials to mentoring other women.
Other beneficiaries, including Moses Wesonga and Lukas Biwott, shared their experiences, highlighting the impact of the contract on their livelihoods. Wesonga noted that every stall they weld at the Eldoret 64 Ultra Market will carry their signature, representing the pride and legacy of Uasin Gishu artisans. Biwott mentioned that the contract has given them a seat at the table, making them builders of national development rather than spectators.
The beneficiaries acknowledged the support from the MSEA Northrift office in championing their affairs through linkages to available government opportunities. The Sh81 million contract is expected to circulate within Uasin Gishu, paying school fees, rent, and medical bills for hundreds of families. This development is seen as a significant step towards inclusive development, demonstrating the potential of local content and the impact of government initiatives on the local economy.
Key points
- The Sh81 million contract has been awarded to 25 MSME welder groups and associations in Uasin Gishu County.
- The project is expected to be completed by October 20th, when the president will officially open the Eldoret 64 Ultra Market.
- The initiative is seen as a landmark move for the MSMEs sector, fostering enterprise development and contributing to the expansion of the national tax base.
