Micro vs Small Enterprises Tribunal: Why it matters for every entrepreneur
By Kiprono Keileb, September 5, 2025For many Kenyan entrepreneurs, disputes over workspaces, funding, or associations often drag on for years in conventional courts.
However, a little-known institution, the Micro and Small Enterprises Tribunal (MSET), could be a game-changer, offering quick and affordable resolution of such conflicts.
According to a post by the Judiciary of Kenya on X on Friday, September 5, 2025, the tribunal is set to play a pivotal role in supporting small businesses.
The Judiciary of Kenya has outlined why this specialised tribunal matters for business owners and how it is designed to protect the interests of micro and small enterprises (SMEs).
Established under Section 54 (1) of the Micro and Small Enterprises Act No. 55 of 2012, MSET functions as a subordinate court recognised under Article 169 of the Constitution.
Speedy justice for SMEs
The Judiciary emphasised that tribunals are created to offer faster and less costly justice for specific sectors.
“Tribunals are highly specialised, speedy and affordable fora of resolution of disputes,” the judiciary explained
MSET’s mandate goes beyond general conflicts. The Judiciary noted that the tribunal specifically deals with issues affecting small business owners, including the management of associations, misuse of funds, and disputes about workspace allocation.
“The Micro and Small Enterprises Tribunal determines disputes involving micro and small enterprises, failure to comply with the terms of allocation of worksites, election and management of associations, and mismanagement and misappropriation of funds,” it stated.
Why entrepreneurs should care
For entrepreneurs struggling with workplace conflicts or mismanagement in associations, MSET provides a more accessible route to justice. Instead of facing long, costly court battles, business owners can use the Tribunal to settle disputes efficiently and in a manner that takes into account the unique challenges faced by small enterprises.
By handling conflicts within associations and ensuring accountability in the use of funds, the Tribunal plays a critical role in safeguarding the livelihoods of small-scale traders, artisans, and entrepreneurs across the country.
As the Judiciary concluded, MSET is designed to give SMEs “a forum of resolution of disputes” that is closer to their reality, ensuring fairness without draining resources.
For Kenya’s growing SME sector, understanding the role of the Tribunal could mean the difference between a drawn-out dispute and a quick, affordable resolution that allows businesses to move forward.