Appearing before the Senate plenary on Wednesday, Kinyanjui said his ministry was working closely with county governments to improve market infrastructure, streamline regulations and support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
The CS was responding to questions raised by Senator Tom Ojienda regarding the national government’s support towards sustainable market management in counties.
“The ministry provides technical and institutional support to county governments to strengthen sustainable market management and ensure uninterrupted operations in key markets,” Kinyanjui told the House.
He said the ministry has rolled out Business Development Services, market intelligence and advisory programmes targeting traders and market operators across counties.
The government is also partnering with institutions such as the Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute to conduct feasibility studies, market assessments and enterprise development training to improve efficiency in local trading spaces.
Kinyanjui revealed the ministry, in collaboration with the State Department for Housing, had developed policy guidelines for the development and management of markets.
“The State Department for Housing is monitoring implementation of the guidelines in collaboration with county governments,” he said.
The CS said the ministry is collaborating with county governments in establishing county aggregation and industrial parks, which will provide facilities for aggregation, processing, storage and marketing of agricultural produce.
He said the projects are expected to reduce congestion in major trading hubs while improving market access for farmers and traders.
The ministry is also leveraging agencies such as the Kenya Bureau of Standards, the Kenya National Trading Corporation and the Warehouse Receipt System Council to improve standards, packaging, quality control and distribution systems for essential goods.
Kinyanjui said the Warehouse Receipt System Council was helping counties strengthen agricultural commodity markets through warehouse certification, capacity building and development of structured trading systems.
On oversight, the CS said the ministry and the Council of Governors had finalised the Investment, Trade and Industry Sector Inter-Governmental Coordination Framework, which is expected to improve collaboration between the national and county governments.
“The framework provides an important foundation for strengthening collaboration between the national and county governments in the Investment, Trade and Industry sector,” he said.
The framework, anchored in the constitution and the Intergovernmental Relations Act, is awaiting formal inauguration and implementation.
Kinyanjui said the national government also exercises policy and regulatory oversight through the development of national trade policies, consumer protection laws and standards that counties are required to implement.
The CS also outlined measures aimed at ensuring continuity of market operations and cushioning traders from economic shocks.
Among the interventions is the repositioning of the Kenya National Trading Corporation as a state-backed price stabiliser for essential commodities.
“To address the rise in the cost of living, the Cabinet approved a framework to position the Kenya National Trading Corporation as the anchor of state initiatives to create a price stabiliser for essential products,” he said.
He said KNTC would help create strategic reserves for staple food items, fertiliser and other essential goods to stabilise prices and cushion consumers.
The ministry is also spearheading the modernisation of wholesale and retail markets across the country in partnership with county governments.
“This will ensure smooth market operations and accommodate growing trade populations,” Kinyanjui said.
He said integration of markets with county aggregation and industrial parks would help decongest major trading hubs such as Gikomba Market, Eastleigh and Kamukunji.
The ministry has also undertaken route-to-market studies aimed at strengthening supply chains, expanding export opportunities and ensuring continuity in trade.
Additionally, Kinyanjui said the government was working to harmonise trade regulations and simplify business licensing to address barriers affecting traders, including counterfeits, taxation and import procedures.
He said the ministry remains committed to protecting MSMEs through access to trade finance, business advisory services and training on standards and packaging.
“The ministry prioritises the inclusion and protection of MSMEs operating in high volume markets,” the CS said.
Kinyanjui maintained that strategic partnerships with counties, financial institutions and development partners would remain critical in building resilient markets and protecting traders’ livelihoods across the country.
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