Ruto Hosts Over 5,000 Nairobi Artisans at State House, Highlights Government Support for MSMEs

 President William Ruto has hosted more than 5,000 artisans from Nairobi County at State House, Nairobi, in an engagement focused on supporting small businesses and strengthening opportunities for workers in the informal sector.

The meeting comes as the government continues to position micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) at the centre of its economic transformation agenda, with artisans and other informal-sector workers forming a significant part of Kenya's workforce.

The engagement is expected to provide an opportunity for the artisans to interact with the President and discuss issues affecting their businesses, livelihoods and access to government support programmes.

The government's broader MSME agenda has included financial support and entrepreneurship programmes aimed at helping small businesses expand, create jobs and improve household incomes. Recent government initiatives have also sought to combine business financing with skills development to strengthen the capacity of entrepreneurs. 

The State House meeting also highlights the growing recognition of artisans as key contributors to Kenya's economy, particularly through employment creation, technical skills and the provision of essential goods and services.

The President's engagement with the artisans comes at a time when the government is seeking to deepen support for informal-sector enterprises and improve access to opportunities for young people and small-scale entrepreneurs.

The meeting is expected to reinforce the administration's message that empowering MSMEs and artisans is critical to driving inclusive economic growth and expanding employment opportunities across the country.