KNCCI organized the Homa Bay business connect dinner last evening where Chamber President Dr Erick Rutto was the chief Guest and PS State Department for Housing and Urban DevelopmentCharles Hinga was the Key Speaker.

Chamber President in his speech discussed the need for one single license among counties as this has become a barrier to trade within the country. He also informed the Nyanza region of newly presented budget proposals before parliament which he said will lead to more jobs, more taxes for the government and more employment for the youth.

Dr Rutto also highlighted the chambers advocacy role to push for licenses for the artisanal miners with mining a major economic activity in the region with a foresight to bring investment to build a gold refinery. Further, he has assured the members from the Nyanza region that the chamber is working with financial institutions to ensure access to finance for small and medium enterprises through guarantees.

PS Charles Hinga in his presentation focused on how the affordable housing scheme has brought in opportunities for SMEs with the juakali sector now among the biggest suppliers of materials such as doors, windows and expertise earning them billions. He said the formalization of the informal sector has led to more people joining the tax base ultimately leading to more revenues for the revenue authority.

The Homa Bay Business Connect Dinner is a build-up to the national Madaraka Day celebrations being held in Homa Bay on 1st June 2025 and is a KNCCI Homa Bay chapter event in partnership with the County Government of Homa Bay and other development stakeholders. This Dinner sought to leverage national attention around Madaraka Day to foster meaningful dialogue and strategic action that empowers local enterprises, facilitates trade, and builds lasting public-private-development sector partnerships.

Among partners who graced the dinner include, Homa Bay County Government, KRA, Homa Bay water and sanitation company, Migori County, Absa Bank, State Department for Housing and Urban, Affordable Housing Board among others.