Small scale traders contribute immensely to the country’s economy while offering business and employment opportunities to many people in society.
Machakos Gubernatorial aspirant, Nzioka Waita, says that mama mboga including Jua Kali traders are the backbone of Machakos county’s’ economy and if supported and protected, would change and improve the living standards of the community.
While addressing hundreds of Mama mboga and small-scale business youth from Kola and Liyuni trading Centres in Kola Ward, Kalama Sub-county, Waita said small and medium enterprises, including the Jua Kali artisans and boda boda riders need empowerment and solutions to the many challenges they face to enable them sustain their venture.
The gubernatorial aspirant emphasised the need to accord traders enabling environment that would allow their businesses to thrive and grow to the next level.
“A market is more than a place to sell. It must have water, electricity and internet. We will ensure our markets are dignified, clean, connected and safe for every mother and other persons doing business,” he added.
Waita pledged to improve business environment in every Ward in the County as well as organise sensitization forums for the residents to access skills and knowledge of doing business as well as identify other avenues and opportunities available for income generation.
Waita pledged to prioritize mama mboga and small-scale traders, noting that small businesses are critical to boosting the county’s economy, adding that his Administration will enhance market services to create a more enabling environment for traders to thrive.
“When you give me the mandate, farmers and traders will not be harassed by the County inspectorate over market fees. You wake up at 4am to feed this County. The government should support you, not frustrate you,” Waita told the cheering crowd.
Waita advised the youth to shun social ills such as alcohol and drug abuse that may divert their aspiration of a bright future, promising to assist them secure employment opportunities, including prospects brought about by the Konza Technopolis development.
“Our youth are talented but they lack opportunity. We will revive all vocational training centres in Machakos, to give them skills that pay and no young person should feel hopeless in their own county, we are going to link them to jobs at Konza city, the African silicon savannah,” he said.
Machakos Town Member of Parliamnt (MP), Caleb Mule, said the National Government has invested heavily in Machakos County through infrastructure, affordable housing, markets and youth programmes, and urged residents to continue supporting the government to ensure development continue to be realised up to the grassroot levels.
“This government has invested a lot for Machakos. What we need now is to trust the process and ensure development is implemented fully on the ground. Our mothers in the market must feel the benefits of these investments,” Mule said.
He cautioned residents against divisive politics peddled by the opposition, which he said lacks a clear plan to uplift communities but only distracts citizenry on what matters most.
“Let us not be misled by politics that divides us. The politics that will help mama mboga is the politics of development, not insults,” he added.
Mwala MP Vincent Kawaya, echoed the call for unity, saying it was time for the Kamba community to take a courageous stand and support the government.
“This is the time for the Kamba community to be bold and support the government. That is how we will attract more major and key developments projects to Machakos and Ukambani as a whole,” Kawaya said.
For many mama mboga in Kola, the Forum was more than politics, it was recognition, inspiration, motivation and empowerment.
By Anne Kangero
