The President Visits Export Sector MSEs at the KICC

The MSE Sector hosted the President of Kenya H.E Hon Mwai Kibaki, the Ministers of Trade, Finance and other Key Stakeholders at an MSE Stand during the National Exporters Forum yesterday on the 29th June 2012 at the KICC The President said that the Government will establish the Export Development Fund and start an Endowment Fund to support EPCs activities. He called for the speedy establishment of the SME Parks and appreciated the good work of the SME Exporters in Jobs and wealth creation in Kenya. The president was taken round the MSE Hand Made Products stand by Mr. Richard Muteti and was later presented with the SME Handbook which was produced to empower the small business owners in Kenya with timely and relevant information relevant to their growth. Among the MSE Exhibitors was Madam Zohra Baraka who exports various hand made products to various countries in Europe. She has received an order of 1 million shillings to supply bangles during the London Marathon. Regional MSE representatives from across the country joined the More than 400 Exporters during the event while the Vise Chairman of KEPSA Mr. Vimal Shah gave a brief remark on behalf of the Private Sector in Kenya.

UNDP and the RBA take valuable MSE programmes to the Western Region of Kenya.

The UNDP conducts leadership and governance Training for MSE Sector leaders based at the Western region of Kenya where more than 65 Associations were represented by more than 250 participants at the Golf hotel. RBA concludes a hearing loss clinic in western region where more than 1500 artisans are attended to. Among the guests who spoke during the event were: C.E.O of RBA Mr. E. Odundo , K.I E Regional Manager Mr Bett , the MSE Western Region Sector Chairman, Mr. Charles Omutanyi , the Kakamega County Jua Kali Associations Chairman ,Mr. Richard Kondo and the Sector CEO Mr. Richard Muteti. The C.E.O of RBA Mr. Odundo said that the artisans are subjected to a lot of noise and other activities that affect their hearing and was concerned that many artisans are getting out of the Jua kali sector because of hearing problems and that the trend would affect the growth of the industry . He promised to take the hearing conservation programme to the rest of the country. We recognize the efforts of the following MSE leaders from the Western Region who made the two programmes a major success: led by the Chairman Mr. Charles Omutanyi, Mr. Richard Kondo, the Organizing Secretary Mr. Caleb Isindu. The secretary Ms. Pauline Avukusi, Mrs. Elizabeth , Mr. Eliud Wawire and the Executive Officer Mr. Caleb Isindu who is also the Youth Director, KNCCI Kakamega County

operation Ear Drop Hearing Conservation Clinic Goes to Kakamega County Jua Kali MSE Associations

Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) takes operation Ear Drop Hearing Conservation Clinic to Kakamega County Jua Kali MSE Associations from 11th to 15th June 2012. RBA has identified a hearing conservation programme as an initiative that will accord retirees in the Jua Kali Sector a reasonable and sustainable lifestyle after retirement. Following the successful piloting of the RBA/OED Hearing Conservation Programme that targeted jua kali artisans in Kamukunji Jua Kali association in Nairobi (may 2010),Kibuye jua kali association in kisumu(march 2010) and Shimanzi Jua Kali Association in Mombasa (may 2011), it is the time for a fourth pilot clinic in Kakamega Jua Kali Associations in Kakamega County. In collaboration with Operation Ear Drop (Kenya) the Authority will host a hearing conservation clinic for members of the Jua Kali associations in Kakamega County from 11th to 15 June 2012. He programme is expected to achieve the following objectives: • To create awareness among the Jua Kali Artisans on the hazards of excessive noise exposure • To educate the workers on basic ear hygiene • To conduct hearing assessments on all workers exposed to hazardous noise • To provide hearing protective devices i.e earplugs/earmuffs to the workers • To educate the artisans on the need and means of saving for retirement. We expect the programme to roll out to the rest of the Jua Kali Artisans across the country and wish to thank the Leadership of the Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA) for coming up with this very noble idea. We thank the Chairman of the Kakamega County Jua Kali Associations Mr. Charles Omutanyi Makokha and his team for providing the identification and logistical support for the programme. Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations (KNFJKA)