Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula has dismissed claims by Cooperatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya that President William Ruto has lost support in Western Kenya. …
NAIROBI, Kenya May 13 – Co-operatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has revealed that the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives (KUSCCO) is facing an estimated Sh12 billion financial crisis following years of financial mismanagement and gover …
Audio By VocalizeCo-operatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya. [File, Standard] Lurambi MP Titus Khamala has called for Co-operatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya to be given a central role in ODM leadership, saying it would demonstrate respect and …
… Speaking on Friday during the issuance of Uwezo Funds in Bumula, an event attended by Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya, Wamboka said his troubles in Parliament began immediately after his election and have since escalated into targeted politi …
… You are very bold because you have undertaken projects that most presidents shied away from.” Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSMEs Wycliffe Oparanya also pledged support from the Western region. …
… Leaders already present in the chilly, drizzling morning include Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, Cooperative CS Wycliffe Oparanya, COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli, Governors Ken Lusaka (Bungoma), Wilber Ottichilo (Vihiga), and Kakamega's Fernandes Barasa. …
Audio By VocalizeCabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Wycliffe Oparanya has intensified calls for political support for President William Ruto’s re-election bid, urging residents of Western Kenya to back the Head of State and embrace what he termed ongoing development efforts under …
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Wycliffe Oparanya on Wednesday met more than 30 MPs from Western region to strategise on how they w …
President William Ruto called on commercial banks to increase lending to micro, small and medium enterprises, stating that MSMEs contribute about 40 per cent of Kenya's economy but remain largely excluded from formal financial services. He noted that despite commercial banks lending about Ksh.1 trillion to the sector over the past three years, this remains insufficient for small businesses to flourish.
Why it matters
Ruto's push for banks to boost MSME lending addresses Kenya's critical Sh3.3 trillion financing gap affecting millions of small business operators.
President William Ruto called on commercial banks to increase lending to micro, small and medium enterprises, stating that MSMEs contribute about 40 per cent of Kenya's economy but remain largely excluded from formal financial services. He noted that despite commercial banks lending about Ksh.1 trillion to the sector over the past three years, this remains insufficient for small businesses to flourish.
President William Ruto challenged Kenya's banking sector to increase lending to micro, small and medium enterprises, saying small businesses contribute nearly 40 per cent of Kenya's economy but remain underfunded despite a KSh3 trillion financing gap. He noted that although commercial banks have extended about KSh1 trillion in credit to the sector over the last three years, this remains insufficient to support MSMEs' growth potential.
Charles Mutwiri of Mukarimu Coffee Estates returned from California after meeting US buyers interested in Kenyan coffee, saying there is significant demand for the crop. He urged farmers to increase production to meet buyer requirements, noting that California buyers alone need at least four containers monthly.
Kenya is stepping up efforts to secure new markets for its coffee as stakeholders in the coffee value chain meet in Nairobi to explore trade, investment and buyer partnerships aimed at boosting the competitiveness of East African coffee in global markets and improving returns for small-scale farmers.
President William Ruto launched Shirikiana Sacco, a new cooperative financial institution aimed at expanding access to savings, affordable credit and investment opportunities. The President praised Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya for his work on financial inclusion, noting the Hustler Fund has grown to Sh90 billion.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula is leading a delegation of national and county leaders to Butere Constituency for a socio-economic empowerment drive targeting women groups and boda boda operators, hosted by Butere MP Tindi Mwale under his #JeshiLaTutam banner.
The government has warned of rising fraudulent Saccos formed ahead of the 2027 General Election and is tightening regulations in the cooperative sector. Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya said the ministry now requires any Sacco seeking licensing to have a minimum capital base of Sh10 million within the county of operation.
Leaders from Western Kenya, including National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula and governors, have intensified calls for the region to secure the Deputy President position in President Ruto's 2027 re-election campaign. The demand emerged during a consultative meeting in Naivasha, with the leaders arguing that Western Kenya's large voting bloc and consistent political support warrant greater representation in top national leadership.
Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya expressed frustration over inadequate budget allocation to his ministry, telling Parliament's Departmental Committee on Trade, Industry and Cooperatives that he requires Ksh.200 million for operational expenses and has been forced to plead for funds.
Cooperatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has warned that more than 12,000 savings and credit cooperative societies risk deregistration for failing to submit mandatory financial returns.
The Cabinet Secretary for Co-operatives and MSMEs told the Senate that the Kenya Union of Savings and Credit Co-operatives faces an estimated Sh12 billion financial deficit following financial mismanagement and governance failures, uncovered by a PwC forensic audit. The CS warned the crisis has affected member SACCOs and poses a threat to the broader cooperative movement.
Lurambi MP Titus Khamala has called for Co-operatives and MSMEs Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya to be given a central role in ODM leadership, saying it would demonstrate respect for Luhya community support and help unify the party amid internal divisions.
Bumula MP Jack Wamboka has accused National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula of engineering his removal as chairperson of the Public Investments Committee on Governance and Education, describing the process as politically driven. Wamboka, who is facing a parliamentary probe over bribery, intimidation and misconduct allegations, says his troubles in Parliament began after his election and have escalated under the Speaker's alleged interference.
President William Ruto addressed Kenyan workers during Labour Day celebrations, calling for support for his second presidential bid and pledging to unite the country. He accused the opposition of fuelling division while political leaders endorsed his re-election campaign.
Kenya's 61st Labour Day celebrations are being held at Friends School Chavakali High in Vihiga County, marking the first time the event has been hosted outside Nairobi. The gathering includes senior government officials and is organised around the theme "Strengthening Local Production and Protecting Workers' Rights."
Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya and Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi used Labour Day celebrations in Western Kenya to campaign for President William Ruto's re-election, with Mudavadi expressing confidence in a second term and calling for voter registration participation.
President William Ruto said Kenya is changing for the better and pointed to economic growth during his three years in office as proof the country is headed in the right direction. He highlighted progress in universal health coverage, agriculture, education and housing, and vowed that Kenya will become a first-world economy within his lifetime.
National Assembly Speaker Wetang'ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi, and Cabinet Secretary Oparanya met more than 30 Western region MPs on Wednesday to strategise ahead of next year's polls, amid a regional political shift as ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna gains electoral support in Luhya areas.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya met more than 30 MPs from the Western region on Wednesday to strategise ahead of next year's elections, as Luhya regional politics shifts toward ODM Secretary General Edwin Sifuna, whose rallies have attracted significant support from voters and elected leaders.