Kindiki reveals new govt initiative to employ jobless Kenyans

The government will roll out a new programme to help thousands of micro and small businesses acquire equipment for value addition and small-scale manufacturing, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki announced on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.

The Kenya Jobs for Economic Transformation (KJET) programme will provide selected enterprises with matching grants covering 50% of the cost of equipment, with support expected to reach businesses across the country.

The programme is scheduled to begin in October 2026, with the support being distributed in three cohorts in October, November and January.

How will businesses benefit?

Kindiki said the programme targets micro and small enterprises that have struggled to access affordable financing despite supporting the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans.

He said many businesses operating at this level have limited access to credit, making it difficult for them to expand, acquire machinery or increase the value of products before they reach the market.

“A lot of businesses and enterprises operating that space have been left to struggle,” Kindiki said.

“They have very little access to credit and financing.”

The programme will therefore focus on providing common user equipment that can be shared or used by clusters of selected enterprises for value addition and local manufacturing.

The government says the clusters will be selected equitably across every county, constituency and ward, widening access beyond major urban centres.

Why does KJET matter?

Small businesses form an important part of household incomes and local economic activity, but limited access to finance and productive equipment can restrict their ability to grow.

Kindiki said supporting these enterprises could have a wider effect on household incomes because many Kenyans depend directly or indirectly on businesses operating at this level.

“So this government has been keen on making sure that we lift as many micro and small businesses as possible and empower them, increase their incomes, improve their livelihoods,” he said.

The Deputy President said the expected impact would extend beyond individual businesses.

“That way, the reach, the economic reach on households across Kenya will be quite extensive,” he said.

The immediate test for the programme will be whether the equipment reaches the intended enterprises and enables them to produce more, add value to local products and create or sustain jobs.

For thousands of small businesses, the programme could provide access to productive equipment that has remained out of reach because of financing constraints.