The County Government of Nakuru has reinforced its commitment to supporting the business community through the inaugural Baada ya Kazi Entrepreneur Meet Up, held last evening to facilitate structured engagement between entrepreneurs and county leadership. The event aligns with H.E. Governor Susan Kihika’s manifesto, which prioritizes the creation of an enabling business environment and the promotion of public-private partnerships to drive economic growth.
The meet up brought together entrepreneurs from startups, small and medium enterprises, and well-established businesses across Nakuru County. Over 50 businesses participated, including Jimmy Jey Barbers and Spa, Wasili Cabs, Mjengo Hardware, Zesta Mabati, Pantry Probiotics, Ornate Creatives, Ruel Software, and Rift Insurance Company. The gathering provided a platform for networking, sharing experiences, and learning from peers, while creating opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange within the local business ecosystem.
The forum was attended by Dr. Victor Achoka, Chief Officer for External Resource Mobilization, who represented the county government and highlighted the administration’s measures to improve the business environment. Dr. Achoka emphasized the county’s focus on reducing regulatory bottlenecks, enhancing policy frameworks, and implementing initiatives such as the Unified Business License to streamline processes for entrepreneurs. These measures are intended to reduce administrative delays and create a predictable environment for business operations, supporting the growth and sustainability of enterprises across the county.
In addition to policy discussions, the meet up provided a platform for participants to reflect on challenges affecting businesses in the county, including access to markets, financing, and operational costs. Entrepreneurs shared experiences on scaling operations, managing competition, and leveraging technology to improve service delivery. The engagement encouraged peer learning and collaboration, enabling business owners to adopt practical strategies that support enterprise development and income generation.
The meet up also emphasized the role of public-private collaboration in promoting economic growth and creating employment opportunities. By bringing together county leadership and the business community, the forum strengthened channels for communication, feedback, and joint problem-solving. Entrepreneurs were able to interact directly with county officials, share their concerns, and propose solutions, ensuring that county interventions are responsive to local business needs.
Organized by MG Innovation Hub and FACT, the event demonstrates the county government’s support for initiatives that enhance the capacity and competitiveness of businesses. Such engagements enable the county to monitor the impact of policy measures on the ground while encouraging innovation and entrepreneurship. By fostering dialogue, the administration seeks to identify opportunities for investment, partnerships, and growth that benefit both businesses and the wider community.
Participation in the forum is expected to have multiple benefits for the county’s economic landscape. Improved networking and collaboration can lead to new business ventures, shared resources, and knowledge transfer among entrepreneurs. Streamlined licensing and regulatory processes reduce the time and cost associated with starting and running businesses, enabling enterprises to allocate more resources to production, expansion, and service delivery. These outcomes contribute to job creation, household income growth, and broader economic development within Nakuru County.
The Baada ya Kazi Entrepreneur Meet Up reflects Governor Susan Kihika’s manifesto commitment to economic development, public-private collaboration, and the promotion of a supportive business environment. Through initiatives like this, the county government continues to build a framework where businesses can thrive, investment is encouraged, and entrepreneurship is recognized as a key driver of economic growth.
By linking policy implementation with direct engagement with business owners, the county aims to ensure that interventions are practical, responsive, and beneficial to the business community. The inaugural meet up sets a foundation for future engagements, providing a platform for continued dialogue, cooperation, and shared efforts to strengthen Nakuru County’s business ecosystem.