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{
    "id": 1192546,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1192546/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 280,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Kericho County, UDA",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Beatrice Kemei",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "have been fighting for their space in the economy. We know that SMEs create 80 per cent of employment opportunities in Kenya. They constitute 98 per cent of businesses, contributing about 3 per cent to GDP and yet, they still fight for space. One of the challenges the youth face is lack of enough capital to set up businesses. Once policies are put in place, the youth will access affordable capital and avoid exploitation by shylocks who charge extremely high interest rates. As of now, the youth cannot access credit from banks because they are not formally organised. The SMEs also ail from inadequate market for their produce. They put a lot of resources in terms of money and time but, when they produce, they find that they do not have markets for their products. As our brother, Hon. Mugambi has said, we used to call them jua kali but their products are good, durable and can be sold within and without the country. They need to be assisted to find markets. The national and county governments should allocate space for those businesses. Why am I saying so? Most traders conduct their business on road pavements, thus exposing themselves to a lot of risks and yet, land can be allocated for those activities. Space should be allocated for business and storage of their commodities. I speak on behalf of SMEs that engage in brick and pot making. They do not have space where they can store their products. Hon. Temporary Speaker, infrastructure is also key. Some of the products can be transported to nearby urban centres and beyond, but road connectivity may sometimes be a challenge, especially feeder roads that connect villages to highways. Once the road infrastructure is improved, SME business will improve and contribute to the economy of this country. What the youth lack mostly is not skills but funding. We should not forget PWDs. Some of them can conduct their business from wheelchairs. What they require is support from the Government. If we want their products sold in internal and external markets, the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBSI should help them with quality certification. I know things will work out well for them. They need recognition, funding, mentorship and marketing support. This Motion by Madam Elachi is good for the youth, women and everybody else. I am happy that we are looking forward to having the Hustler Fund in place. The Kenya Kwanza Government is concerned not only about people in the formal sectors, but also those in the informal sectors. If we approve this Motion, we will actually be supporting what the Government of the day is proposing. The Hustlers Fund should cut across society and work well for SMEs. With those remarks, I support."
}