Governor Launches 1,000 Initiative to Boost Local Economy in Nairobi

Nairobi County is preparing to roll out the Biashara Stimulus Programme, a flagship initiative by Governor Johnson Sakaja aimed at empowering micro and small enterprises (MSEs) across the city. The programme, which will benefit businesses in 17 sub-counties and 85 wards, seeks to provide access to affordable financing, technical support, and market linkages to help small businesses expand and create more jobs.
Speaking during a strategic planning session in Naivasha, Deputy Governor Njoroge Muchiri emphasized that the initiative fulfills a major campaign promise by the Sakaja administration. Our goal is to ensure that local entrepreneurs who often lack access to formal credit systems can benefit from this programme, he said. The credit will be provided in partnership with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), enabling MSEs to scale from micro and small to medium-sized enterprises. Muchiri underscored the importance of building trust between the county, partners, and beneficiaries to ensure the success of the initiative.
According to Dr. Nyalita, who represented the Nairobi County Business and Hustlers Opportunities sector, the session provided a platform for key partners — including KCB and the Institute of Certified Start and Improve Your Business (ICST–SIYB) — to align strategies for effective implementation. Chief Officer and Acting County Secretary Godfrey Akumali noted that the programme aims to stimulate economic growth and job creation through targeted interventions that enhance Nairobi’s socio-economic development. The county hopes that by reducing borrowing costs to single-digit interest rates, more entrepreneurs will access credit and sustain their businesses.
Director of MSEs Julius Karina expressed optimism about the upcoming launch, saying the county’s partnership-driven approach will revitalize existing small businesses. We are working to increase access to affordable finance, enhance entrepreneurial capacity, and strengthen market linkages, he said. The initiative, which aligns with the county’s broader economic empowerment agenda, reflects the Sakaja administration’s commitment to nurturing a thriving business environment for Nairobi’s small-scale entrepreneurs. With collaboration from financial institutions and business development experts, the Biashara Stimulus Programme is expected to become a model for county-led economic