Kakuma – June 4th 2025 (Public Communication and Media Relations)
Host and refugee-led micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in Kakuma have been urged to embrace partnerships to unlock new markets, attract investors, and drive enterprise development.
The call was made by County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Gender, Youth Affairs, and Tourism, Roseline Aite, during a one-day Business-to-Business (B2B) forum held in Kakuma.
The event was organized by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) under the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF).
More than 100 MSMEs participated in the forum, also brought together business financiers, market leaders, government officials, and policy influencers.
“With this kind of forum, I believe both host and refugee-led MSMEs have benefited from KKCF’s business support programmes can now begin to form partnerships for progress,” said CECM Aite.
She noted that the county government’s agenda on trade and enterprise development is focused on revitalizing local economies, creating jobs, and improving livelihoods, and pledged continued support for such programmes.
To strengthen collaboration and build a unified business voice, CEC Aite proposed the formation of a Kakuma Business Association.
“Let us consider forming a business association that will bring together MSMEs and transform Kakuma and Kalobeyei into a model for inclusive enterprise development in fragile settings,” she said.
Chief Officer for Trade Development Pauline Tangarae echoed the call for structured partnerships, especially in the face of dwindling donor support, climate-related challenges, and the potential phasing out of the KKCF project.
“I would be surprised if you left here without establishing a platform for continuous learning and exchange of ideas,” she told participants. “This forum has provided you with the networks needed to make that happen.”
The event featured sector-specific discussions for up to 15 business areas, products exhibitions, experience-sharing sessions, and networking opportunities.
The participants listed unfavourable business infrastructure, licensing problems, frequent power outages and the short supply of highly specialized manpower as key challenges.
Speaking for the MSME owners, Lokwii Geofry said that the forum made him appreciate that Kakuma the upgrade of Kakuma to Municipality status meant introduction of more stringent quality control measures. He appreciated the CEC and the entire team of policy makers for clarifying the implication of the status upgrade to business operations.
Another MSME owner, Florence Kawira added that the call for partnership would ensure inclusivity in communicating programs for business support.
The event was also attended and addressed by Turkana West Sub County administrator Christine Nalemsekon, John Nyawir of Huduma Centre Turkana and, staff of the Kakuma Biashara Huduma Centre.
