The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, EGH, officially took over the reins from his predecessor, Hon. Simon Chelugui, EGH, in a handover meeting held today.
In his farewell address, Hon. Chelugui reflected on his tenure, which lasted one year and eight months, emphasizing key achievements during his time in office. Notably, he highlighted the development of a Cooperative Bill that has been under discussion for 15 years.
He noted, “We were able to conclude public participation and submit the document to Cabinet and later to Parliament. I urge the new minister to vigorously pursue its enactment, as it will address pressing governance issues that threaten the integrity of cooperatives.”
Chelugui also discussed the introduction of the Coffee Bill aimed at reestablishing the Coffee Code of Kenya, which is currently before Parliament. He underscored the importance of this legislation in improving the marketing of Kenyan coffee and supporting farmers in the sector.
In addressing the challenges facing the cooperative movement, Chelugui pointed out the need for shared services technology to reduce costs and enhance the capacity of cooperatives to add value to their products. He specifically mentioned the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC), emphasizing the need for a review of its operations to better support grassroots dairy farmers.
Further, Chelugui spoke about the Hustler Fund, which has reached over 22 million deserving Kenyans, and expressed hope that the new administration would enhance its impact. He also called attention to the necessity of reducing the cost of animal feeds and improving governance within cooperatives to ensure sustainability.
As he handed over, Chelugui offered his support to Oparanya, advising him to be vigilant against the competing interests that often challenge the coffee sector. He expressed confidence that the new Cabinet Secretary would continue the initiatives that have been set in motion and work on pending issues such as the Startup Bill and the Credit Guarantee Scheme.
In his first address as Cabinet Secretary, Oparanya acknowledged the groundwork laid by Chelugui and committed to building on these achievements. He expressed his determination to advocate for the MSME sector, emphasizing the need for enhanced access to credit and reduced bureaucratic hurdles that hinder the growth of small businesses.
