Mbadi backs women-led businesses
By Faith Lagat, June 26, 2026Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi has reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting women-led small and medium enterprises (SMEs), saying women remain central to poverty eradication and economic development.
Mbadi spoke on Friday, June 26, 2026, during a women empowerment drive held at Ndiru Primary School in Homa Bay Town Constituency, where he joined Homa Bay Town MP Opondo Kaluma, Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga and other leaders.
In a statement shared on his X account, the Treasury CS highlighted the role women play in strengthening economies through investment and entrepreneurship.
“Globally, women have proven to be the primary drivers of poverty eradication; occupying special space in financial reinvestment. Their workforce injects millions back into the economy,” Mbadi said.
The event brought together women entrepreneurs from across the constituency for an empowerment programme focusing on business growth, financial inclusion and entrepreneurship.
Support for women entrepreneurs
The empowerment drive forms part of ongoing government efforts to strengthen micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which are considered key drivers of employment and economic growth.
In the 2026/27 Budget, the National Treasury proposed funding for programmes targeting women, youth and community enterprises through initiatives such as the Women Enterprise Fund, the National Government Affirmative Action Fund and the Hustler Fund.
The government has also continued implementing programmes aimed at improving access to affordable credit, expanding market opportunities and strengthening entrepreneurship through skills development.
During the Homa Bay event, leaders encouraged women entrepreneurs to take advantage of available government programmes to grow their businesses and improve household incomes.
Building on earlier initiatives
The Homa Bay empowerment programme follows similar initiatives held in other parts of the country to support women-owned businesses and promote financial inclusion.
In July 2025, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula led a women empowerment programme in Msambweni, Kwale County, where leaders called for greater investment in women’s economic participation through enterprise support and access to opportunities.
The Homa Bay event focused on practical interventions, including business skills, access to finance and market linkages for women operating in sectors such as agriculture, trade and services.
Mbadi’s participation comes as the government continues implementing programmes under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which places MSMEs at the centre of job creation and economic expansion.
The event also brought together local leaders and community members, with organisers saying the initiative was intended to strengthen women-owned enterprises and expand economic opportunities at the grassroots.
Women-owned businesses continue to play a significant role in Kenya’s economy, particularly in agriculture, retail trade and the informal sector, with government programmes increasingly focusing on improving access to financing, training and markets to support their growth.