The Summit opened with strong representation from the KNCCI Elgeyo Marakwet Chapter, led by the County Chairman, Directors and the County CCM, who welcomed delegates and guided the Chamber’s hosting duties.

They were joined by senior national KNCCI leadership Chamber President Dr. Erick Rutto,  Western Region Director John Shimaka, CEO K.K. Mutai and Director Shadrack Kiprono reinforcing the Chamber’s unified commitment to supporting enterprise growth across the county.

Top government leaders also graced the event, including PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo, Governor Wisley Kipyegon Rotich, Deputy Governor Prof. Grace Cheserek and Senator Kisang William Kipkemoi, signalling strong public sector backing for Elgeyo Marakwet’s investment agenda.

The leaders toured all exhibition tents, interacting directly with more than 50 exhibitors across agribusiness, manufacturing, services and innovation.

Their conversations highlighted the county’s enormous potential  a true sleeping giant especially as the Governor’s administration pushes for industrial investment, land reform, modern agriculture and value-addition initiatives.

The post KNCCI Host Elgeyo Marakwet County First International Business Summit appeared first on KNCCI.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), in collaboration with the Jiinue Growth Program (JGP), hosted a high-level engagement with the leadership of Elgeyo Marakwet County aimed at exploring transformative partnerships for economic development, trade facilitation, and industrialization.

The meeting, held at the KNCCI Headquarters in Nairobi, was chaired by Mr. Shadrack Kiprono, Vice Chair for Trade and Economics at KNCCI, and co-chaired by Ms. Esther Kimani, Program Manager for JGP. The session welcomed H.E. Prof. Grace Cheserek, Deputy Governor of Elgeyo Marakwet County, who led the county’s delegation in what proved to be a productive dialogue focused on catalyzing growth and investment.

In her opening remarks, Prof. Cheserek gave a compelling overview of Elgeyo Marakwet County, highlighting its natural resource wealth, including fertile soils, reliable rainfall, and crucial water catchment areas like the Cherang’any and Embobut forests. She underscored the county’s vast agricultural potential in crops such as avocado, peanuts, coffee, potatoes, mangoes, and honey.

To realize its development ambitions, the county is investing in value addition and industrialization, including the establishment of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) and the leasing of 100-acre industrial zones to private investors for agro-processing ventures.

In addition, Elgeyo Marakwet is positioning itself as a future leader in carbon credit trading due to its forest cover and agroforestry practices. The county also stands to benefit from economic spillovers as Eldoret grows into a major city, offering new opportunities in housing, leisure, and services.

A key highlight of the meeting was the upcoming Elgeyo Marakwet International Trade Expo & Summit, scheduled for December 8–9, 2025. Prof. Cheserek expressed full support for the event and called for a comprehensive presentation on JGP’s achievements and KNCCI’s ongoing programs.

The Deputy Governor lauded JGP’s achievements in supporting women and youth entrepreneurs but flagged concerns over low loan uptake, especially in remote areas. She recommended targeted outreach and the inclusion of larger enterprises for higher-value loans.

The county also intends to provide support to 600 youth recently graduated from TVET institutions, complementing support already extended to 200 youth through KCB Foundation.

In her presentation, Ms. Esther Kimani elaborated on JGP’s impact and strategic focus areas, such as:

• Policy collaboration for tax reliefs, simplified licensing, and business registration processes.
• Supportive ecosystems including child-care infrastructure and grassroots mobilization of women.
• Technology-driven market access through platforms like iSOKO, which links EMC farmers to regional markets.
• Success stories such as that of Doreen Gacheri, a livestock exporter from Samburu, who has used her business to empower women, ensure food security, and promote peace—all with KNCCI-JGP support.

To move the collaboration forward, several action points were agreed upon:

• Youth and Women Training Campaign: 10 JGP training sessions scheduled for August 2025.
• Specialized Business Workshops: Sessions on export readiness, product branding, licensing, and market access targeting 80 youth trained by the Central Bank.
• Business Networking Breakfast in Iten: An opportunity to showcase KNCCI membership benefits and promote business linkages.
• First Planning Meeting: Slated for Tuesday, August 5, 2025, to coordinate implementation.

The meeting marked a significant step in strengthening KNCCI’s engagement with devolved units and advancing JGP’s mission to empower MSMEs. Both KNCCI and the Elgeyo Marakwet County Government reaffirmed their commitment to a sustained partnership focused on unlocking economic potential through youth training, business incubation, and investment in value-added industries.

The collaboration highlights KNCCI’s ongoing role in championing inclusive economic growth, regional development, and public-private partnerships in line with Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The post KNCCI Deepens Strategic Partnership with Elgeyo Marakwet County to Boost Trade, Empower Youth and Women appeared first on KNCCI.