Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya has ignited controversy by stating that earning a salary is insufficient for achieving wealth.
He suggested that individuals who appear affluent while having formal employment might be involved in unethical behavior.
Addressing a gathering, Oparanya contended that accumulating substantial wealth in Kenya primarily requires engaging in entrepreneurial activities rather than depending solely on monthly earnings.
“Anyone who is employed yet wealthy is likely embezzling from their employer. Wages alone cannot lead to fortune,” he asserted.
The minister based his comments on the administration’s renewed dedication to nurturing small business owners, whom he identified as the economic foundation of the nation.
According to Oparanya, approximately 22 million Kenyans operate small enterprises, forming a substantial group that the administration aims to support through policy frameworks and financial incentives.
“Nearly 22 million individuals are managing small businesses and require assistance. The administration has created a ministry to aid them,” he explained.
The minister additionally mentioned existing initiatives under his portfolio to strengthen micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He further highlighted that the significant number of Kenyans working in the informal and small commercial sector is not negligible, but rather fundamental to economic advancement and subsistence.
“Twenty-two million individuals represent a substantial number. They are our primary focus,” he added.
Oparanya indicated that the administration is developing approaches to unite these businesspeople, allowing them to obtain funding and expand their operations.
He stated that the objective is to enable small traders and business proprietors to establish reliable incomes, sustain their households, and substantially contribute to the national economy.
“We are facilitating their collaboration and assisting them in accessing funds to develop their enterprises,” he said.
The minister maintained that entrepreneurship continues to be the most effective route to financial security, advising Kenyans to reconsider their excessive dependence on formal jobs.
“To achieve wealth, one must engage in commerce. Even with employment, one cannot become wealthy merely through salary,” he emphasized.
Oparanya contextualized his position within a wider economic policy framework that emphasizes community-based wealth generation.
He explained that empowering millions of small-scale traders would not only enhance domestic earnings but also fortify the nation’s economic structure.
“That is why the administration has chosen to support these 22 million individuals, enabling them to expand their businesses, increase their financial resources, care for their families, and contribute to the economy,” he stated.
The minister confirmed that the administration has implemented appropriate mechanisms to support MSMEs, which are crucial economic contributors.