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The Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, has officially taken over the reign from his predecessor,Simon Chelugui, in a handover meeting held at the Cooperatives building.
The outgoing Cooperatives secretary challenged Oparanya to lobby for the development of the function of retail and policy to the Ministry of Cooperatives and Retail and MSME’s which he noted remained in tye Trade Ministry when the MSME’s function was hired off.
Chelugui also urged the current CS to keep an eye in the coffee reforms warning of various interests that threaten to cripple present reforms.
While reflecting on his tenure, Chelugui emphasized key achievements notably the development of a Cooperative Bill that has been under discussion for 15 years. He added,
“We concluded public participation and submitted 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 shed light on the Hustler Fund, which has impacted over 22 million 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.
The outgoing Cs offered his untimely 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.