Nairobi County Launches Sh4 Billion ‘Biashara’ Stimulus for Struggling Small Businesses
In a major push to revive the city’s economic engine, Nairobi City County has unveiled a Sh4.1 billion Biashara Stimulus Programme targeting Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs). Governor Johnson Sakaja announced the ambitious initiative, stating its goal is to provide affordable financing, capacity building, and structured support to thousands of businesses still reeling from recent economic pressures. The programme is framed as a direct intervention to spur job creation, boost the county’s revenue base, and formalize the vibrant but often overlooked informal sector, which employs a majority of the city’s residents.
The comprehensive programme is structured around three core pillars: access to low-interest credit, business development training, and mentorship. A significant portion of the fund will be dedicated to offering collateral-free loans with favorable repayment terms to qualified MSEs. Special emphasis has been placed on reaching youth, women, and persons with disabilities who run businesses, with the county promising a streamlined digital application process to reduce bureaucratic hurdles. The launch event saw the participation of MSE stakeholders from across the city’s 85 wards, highlighting the broad-based outreach intended for the initiative.
Initial reactions from the business community have been a mixture of hope and cautious optimism. Access to affordable capital has been our single biggest headache, said Samuel Kariuki, a representative of a small-scale manufacturers’ association. If this fund is managed transparently and reaches the actual hustler on the ground, it will be transformative. However, past experiences with similar government funds have led to calls for vigilant oversight to ensure political interference does not sideline genuine entrepreneurs. County officials have assured the public that the disbursement will be managed professionally and tracked for impact.
The long-term success of the Biashara Stimulus Programme will depend heavily on its implementation. If it effectively deploys capital and training, it could strengthen Nairobi’s economic resilience, increase the survival rate of start-ups, and stimulate local production. The county government has positioned this as a flagship economic project, with its performance likely to be a key metric for the administration. As the application process opens, all eyes will be on Nairobi to see if this substantial financial injection can truly catalyze a sustainable recovery for the city’s smallest and most vital businesses.