Welders and fabricators drawn from various MSME associations in Uasin Gishu County have officially secured a business deal worth Sh81 million to fabricate market stalls for the upcoming Eldoret 64 Ultra Market.

MSEA Regional Director, North Rift, CPA Alton Kogo, indicated that the contract marks a significant milestone in the government’s agenda to integrate MSMEs into the Affordable Housing and Markets program. It demonstrates a tangible commitment to the inclusion of Jua Kali artisans in large-scale national infrastructure projects through structured subcontracting.

He revealed that the awarded contract has been distributed among 25 MSME welder groups and associations offering jobs for over 300 welders.

He praised the initiative as a landmark move for the Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) sector in terms of economic impact and job creation.

“To meet the strict deadlines set for the project, a total of 375 welders will be involved in the fabrication of the stalls. This rapid mobilization is expected to inject direct income into the local economy, empowering grassroots artisans and expanding the county’s tax base through formalized economic activity,” he said.

Speaking in an interview as he officially handed over the Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) to the beneficiary groups at the MSEA Northrift Office in Eldoret, CPA Kogo urged the artisans to uphold the highest standards of professionalism.

“This is not just about welding metal; it is about welding the future of Uasin Gishu’s economy,” said CPA Kogo. “We have ensured that MSMEs benefit directly from these projects. I urge every group to stick to the quality specifications and timeliness required. This is your opportunity to prove that Jua Kali can deliver on a national scale.”

MSEA Regional Director, Northrift, CPA Alton Kogo (right), handed over the Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) to one of the beneficiary groups at the MSEA Northrift Office in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County.

He said the culmination of the fabrication work will be realized on October 20th when the president will officially open the Eldoret 64 Ultra Market. The market is poised to become a hub of commerce, and the stalls fabricated by local MSMEs will stand as a testament to the capability of local artisans.

The MSEA Northrift Regional Director affirmed the authority’s commitment to ensuring that MSMEs benefit from government projects. He argued that by facilitating such subcontracts, MSEA is not only fostering enterprise development but also contributing significantly to the expansion of the national tax base by bringing informal artisans into the formal economy.

Jua Kali MSMEs beneficiaries led by Fanuel Anyanga and Fredrick Mbede commended the initiative from the government, noting that through incorporating the sector in Economic Stimulus Projects (ESP) Markets and Affordable Housing projects through the supply of materials, they have earned an income to uplift their livelihoods and support families.

“We as subcontractors have been successful because we can now work with the government directly without any intervention within. You get your LPO, do the work, and get paid well and on time. It has improved my financial status; I can pay school fees for my children in secondary and primary schools,” said Mbede.

Cecilia Arusei commended the incorporation of the Jua Kali sector in the Housing and Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets projects, noting it uplifts youth living standards through access to jobs.

“When you empower a woman in Jua Kali, you empower an entire value chain. I source materials, I fabricate, I deliver, and I mentor other women. This Sh 81 million deal means I can do all of that at a larger scale. It means my daughters can look at me and see a business owner, not just a worker. That is the impact that lasts beyond this project,” she noted.

“For me, this is about more than just fabrication. It is about proving that local content works. Every stall we weld at the Eldoret 64 Ultra Market will carry our signature, the signature of Uasin Gishu artisans. When traders enter that market, they will be standing inside our work. That is legacy. That is pride. And that is what inclusive development should look like,” noted Moses Wesonga, Welder & Fabricator.

Lukas Biwott, an MSME fabricator, mentioned that the contract has given them a seat at the table, making them no longer spectators in national development but rather builders of it.

“The Sh 81 million will circulate right here in Uasin Gishu. It will pay school fees, rent, and medical bills for hundreds of families. That is the economy working for the people, not the other way around,” he observed.

They acknowledged the support from the MSEA Northrift office in championing their affairs through linkages to available government opportunities.

By Ekuwam Sylvester