The Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), in partnership with the Joyful Women Organization (JOYWO) and other stakeholders including AMPATH, has concluded a five-day capacity-building and enterprise formalisation programme aimed at empowering women entrepreneurs in Uasin Gishu County.
The countywide training programme, which concluded on Friday at Ziwa in Soy Sub-County, brought together more than 1,200 women’s groups drawn from the six sub-counties of Soy, Moiben, Ainabkoi, Turbo, Kapseret and Kesses.
The initiative equipped women entrepreneurs with practical knowledge and skills to establish, manage and grow sustainable enterprises while improving their ability to access markets, government support programmes and financial opportunities.
Participants were trained on entrepreneurship, basic business management, enterprise formalisation, record keeping, developing an entrepreneurial mindset, and effective customer acquisition and retention strategies.
Organisers from MSEA and JOYWO said the skills acquired would enhance business performance, improve competitiveness and enable women-led enterprises to become more sustainable contributors to economic growth.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, MSEA North Rift Regional Coordinator CPA Alton Kogo reaffirmed the authority’s commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs in line with the government’s development agenda.
“As we conclude this successful countywide drive on this 7th day of August 2026, I call upon all JOYWO women groups to fully align their business activities with the Government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA),” said Kogo.
He said MSEA would continue providing training, business advisory services and market linkages to ensure women entrepreneurs not only run businesses but also actively participate in transforming the economy.
Kogo encouraged women groups to formalize their enterprises, saying registration would open opportunities for them to benefit from various government programmes, financing opportunities and business development services.
He also urged entrepreneurs to move away from relying on cash transactions and instead embrace formal banking systems and savings culture, noting that financial discipline is essential for business stability and long-term growth.
“MSEA remains committed to ensuring that women entrepreneurs acquire the skills needed to manage their businesses effectively and cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset through structured programmes,” he said.
The regional coordinator commended First Lady Mama Rachel Ruto for establishing JOYWO, saying the organization has played an important role in empowering women through financial inclusion, table banking and leadership training.
He said the partnership between MSEA and JOYWO has provided an important platform for sensitizing women entrepreneurs on government initiatives designed to support enterprise growth.
During the training sessions, participants were also introduced to flagship programmes including the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA), Kenya Jobs and Economic Transformation (KJET) and other interventions targeting enterprise development, job creation, financial inclusion and women empowerment.
Kogo said formalized enterprises and strategic partnerships would help create sustainable employment opportunities and promote inclusive economic growth in Uasin Gishu County and beyond.
JOYWO Head of Table Banking Esther Andiva emphasized the importance of financial discipline in ensuring businesses remain stable and profitable.
She said the table banking model has become an effective tool for promoting financial inclusion among women by encouraging savings, responsible borrowing and collective investment.
“Through this training, we have seen a renewed commitment among our groups to embrace proper record keeping, prudent savings and responsible borrowing. I am confident that the knowledge gained will translate into stronger, more resilient businesses that can withstand economic shocks and create lasting wealth for our families and communities,” said Andiva.
JOYWO Head of Women’s Mobilisation Pauline Bittok praised the high turnout and commitment shown by women entrepreneurs from all six sub-counties.
She said the programme demonstrated the potential of women when they are provided with the right training, support and opportunities to grow their enterprises.
Bittok encouraged participants to share the knowledge acquired with other members of their groups and communities to ensure more women benefit from entrepreneurship skills.
She added that JOYWO would continue mobilising more women into its programmes while working with partners to ensure entrepreneurs access government support and business development opportunities.
The organisers expressed confidence that the training would translate into improved enterprise management, increased household incomes and stronger women-led businesses capable of contributing to economic development.
By Ekuwam Sylvester
