During the meeting, the Mr Were emphasized the importance of aligning the sector with KNCCI’s national structure and county chapters. He noted that the Chamber provides a structured economic platform that is widely recognized by government, making it a strategic partner in advancing the interests of transport-based MSMEs.

The association proposed working with KNCCI to develop a National Grassroots Economic Scorecard that would capture economic realities at the county level and support an issue-based economic outlook reflecting the experiences of informal sector entrepreneurs.

KNCCI’s Head of Programmes, Daniel Biketi, highlighted the role of enterprise training in transforming the perception of operators from drivers to entrepreneurs. Through initiatives such as the Jiinue Programme, KNCCI can provide capacity-building and business training to tuk tuk operators and other actors within the ecosystem.

He noted that the training could also target indirect jobs created by the sector, including mechanics, spare parts dealers, and service providers, strengthening the overall mobility value chain.

Access to affordable finance emerged as one of the key challenges facing the sector. The association appealed to KNCCI to support members in securing financing to acquire and upgrade tuk tuk units.

In response, KNCCI indicated its willingness to facilitate access to financing through partnerships with financial institutions. The Chamber highlighted potential collaboration with African Guarantee Fund (AGF), which can provide guarantees of up to 70 percent of loans, particularly for tuk tuk operators involved in value chains such as dairy distribution.

Dr. Rutto encouraged the association to formally join KNCCI and integrate its members into the Chamber’s county chapters. He proposed the establishment of a joint technical working committee to develop a structured collaboration framework ahead of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) later in the month.

The KNCCI President also challenged the association to develop a strong business case for the local assembly of tuk tuk spare parts and knockdown units as part of Kenya’s industrialization strategy. Such an initiative, he noted, could stimulate local manufacturing and create thousands of jobs while strengthening the sector’s value chain.

The proposed partnership aligns with KNCCI’s six strategic pillars: Advocacy, Networking and Collaboration, Institutional Strengthening, Economic Diplomacy, Market Linkages, and Inclusivity.

Both parties expressed optimism that structured engagement between the Chamber and the tuk tuk sector will support enterprise formalization, improve access to finance, and unlock new economic opportunities for hundreds of thousands of transport entrepreneurs across the country.

According to data presented by the association, the tuk tuk sector is one of the most vibrant grassroots economic ecosystems in the country. The sector includes over 250,000 registered tuk tuks, 750,000 active drivers, and 250,000 owners and investors, supported by 850 to 1,100 SACCOs. Collectively, the network interacts with 5.5 to 6 million Kenyans daily.

The association estimates that the sector generates approximately KES 273 billion in annual household income, injects about KES 750 million into the economy daily, and supports KES 400–500 billion in total economic activity, representing an estimated 2.5–3 percent of Kenya’s GDP, with direct driver income alone contributing about 1.8 percent.

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The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) Garissa Chapter successfully conducted a sensitization workshop targeting cooperative societies within Garissa Town. This important engagement brought together representatives from over 15 active cooperatives across various sectors, including savings and credit (SACCOs), livestock marketing, women-led enterprises, and youth-driven cooperatives.

The primary objective of the workshop was to raise awareness among cooperative leaders on key topics such as good governance, financial literacy, accountability, legal compliance, and sustainable business practices. The session also emphasized the critical role of cooperatives in driving local economic development and creating employment opportunities at the grassroots level.

Participants were sensitized on:

• The importance of adhering to cooperative bylaws and regulatory frameworks.
• Best practices in leadership and internal control systems.
• Accessing business development support through KNCCI and other partners.
• Opportunities for collaboration, networking, and collective marketing.

Additionally, the workshop served as a platform for open dialogue, where cooperative members highlighted their operational challenges and explored areas for strategic partnership with KNCCI Garissa. The Chamber reaffirmed its commitment to supporting cooperative growth through continuous capacity building, policy advocacy, resource mobilization, and market linkages.

This initiative aligns with KNCCI Garissa’s broader agenda of promoting inclusive economic empowerment and strengthening institutional frameworks for member-based organizations in the region.

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