Principal Secretary for Internal Security and National Administration Dr Raymond Omollo has vowed to crack down on criminals targeting traders in Homa Bay County, assuring the business community of government support to address insecurity, limited access to financing, infrastructure gaps and welfare challenges.
Speaking during an engagement with businesspeople from Rangwe and Homa Bay Town constituencies, Omollo acknowledged concerns raised by traders over persistent criminal activities that have disrupted businesses and threatened their livelihoods.
He said the government was working with leaders from both the national and county governments to develop lasting solutions to the challenges facing entrepreneurs.
“You have raised issues touching on security, where some criminal characters have made it difficult for you to conduct business for several years. You have also raised concerns about financing and business support, as well as welfare challenges when someone falls ill, loses a loved one or needs assistance to revive a struggling business,” Omollo said.
The PS added that traders had also highlighted concerns over hygiene and inadequate electricity supply, noting that the government was engaging relevant authorities to address the issues.
He warned that individuals engaging in criminal activities would face the full force of the law, insisting that the government would not allow insecurity to undermine legitimate businesses.
Omollo said the government was also investing in roads and other critical infrastructure to improve access to markets, facilitate trade and stimulate economic growth.
He cited government-backed financing initiatives, including the Hustler Fund, as part of efforts to expand access to credit for small-scale traders and entrepreneurs.
According to Omollo, President William Ruto’s administration had prioritised financial inclusion to enable more Kenyans to access credit and establish or sustain their businesses.
“The business community is the backbone of the country’s economy. That is why President William Ruto, upon assuming office, prioritised measures to enable Kenyans to access loans and other funding opportunities,” he said.
The PS said the Hustler Fund had provided entrepreneurs with an avenue to borrow money at relatively affordable interest rates, helping some traders meet their immediate financial needs and stabilise their businesses.
He further defended the government’s affordable housing programme, saying the initiative was designed to go beyond providing residential units by incorporating supporting infrastructure and essential services.
Omollo noted that housing developments needed to be connected to roads, electricity, markets and other facilities to support residents’ livelihoods and economic activities.
He said the administration had consequently invested in the construction of markets across the country, adding that more than 600 markets had been built as part of efforts to expand trading spaces and support small businesses.
The PS said the development of Economic Stimulus Programme (ESP) markets, coupled with community empowerment initiatives, was intended to strengthen Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), create employment opportunities and improve household incomes.
The initiatives, he added, align with the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which places small businesses and grassroots economic activities at the centre of national development.
The engagement brought together entrepreneurs and investors from different economic sectors in Rangwe and Homa Bay Town, providing a platform for traders to raise concerns and seek government intervention.
The meeting forms part of broader efforts by the government to engage business communities, address barriers to enterprise growth and create a more secure environment for investment and job creation.
