Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises ( MSMEs) Development, Wycliffe Oparanya, on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, presided over the Governors’ Breakfast Meeting with leaders from the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) at a Nairobi hotel.

The particular forum brought together governors and representatives from across the bloc to review preparations for the upcoming Cooperative International Conference, scheduled for 4th–6th December 2025 in Kisumu County, under the theme “Empowering Communities through Cooperative Innovation and Sustainable Development.”

Among leaders present were Bungoma County Governor Kenneth Lusaka and his Kisumu counterpart, Anyang’ Nyong’o, as other counties were represented by their officials. In his remarks, CS Oparanya reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to empowering cooperatives in a bid to create job opportunities in the country, further extending his gratitude to county leaders from the Lake Region Economic Bloc for their partnership in realising regional prosperity.

”The Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development is keen to strengthen the synergy between cooperatives and MSMEs, recognising that when cooperatives are empowered, MSMEs are empowered, thus creating jobs and lifting our people out of poverty. I thank our governors and the Lake Region Economic Bloc for their continued partnership as we work to build a cooperative-driven economy that delivers shared prosperity for all,” Oparanya said via X.

Oparanya later joined President William Ruto at Uhuru Gardens, Nairobi, for the official opening of the 2025 EAC MSMEs Trade Fair, where over 3,000 exhibitors from across the East African Community (EAC) showcased a variety of products and services.

”Kenya takes great pride in hosting this important regional event. The fair provides a unique platform for our MSMEs and cooperatives to network, exchange ideas, and explore opportunities for cross-border trade and growth. MSMEs remain the backbone of our regional economies. Through collaboration and innovation, we are unlocking their potential to create jobs, generate wealth, and drive sustainable development across East Africa,” Oparanya added.

Oparanya officially opened the event on Monday, November 10, 2025, where he also said Kenya is proud to once again host this important regional event, describing it as a testament to the country’s unwavering commitment to advancing EAC integration and enterprise development.