*MINISTRY OF COOPERATIVES AND MSMEs HOLDS PERFORMANCE REVIEW WORKSHOP TO BOLSTER ACCOUNTABILITY AND DELIVERY* The Ministry of Cooperatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) convened a strategic ministerial performance review workshop in Nanyuki to assess the progress of its key commitments under government performance contracting. The workshop brought together top ministry leadership, including Cabinet Secretary Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, Principal Secretaries Susan Mang’eni (MSMEs) and Patrick Kilemi (Cooperatives), Deputy Chief of Staff Mr. Eliud Owalo, who leads the national performance contracting framework under the Executive Office of the President along with heads of Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs). In his keynote address, Mr. Owalo emphasized that mid-term performance reviews are vital to tracking progress against strategic goals and enhancing public sector delivery: Owalo underscored the need for institutionalizing performance contracting across all levels, extending down to individual scorecards and announced plans for a robust reward management framework that ties recognition and incentives directly to outcomes. “We must embed a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement,” he urged. Addressing the challenge of resources, he encouraged state agencies to develop innovative resource mobilization strategies and reduce overreliance on the National Treasury. Additionally, he called for improved communication and stakeholder engagement to ensure that citizens are fully aware of and connected to the government’s transformative programs. Cabinet Secretary Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya reaffirmed the Ministry's central role in actualizing the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). He outlined key priorities and ongoing initiatives “This is a ministry of action. We signed performance contracts with His Excellency the President, and we are here reviewing progress with all our SAGAs. Each institution is presenting what they’ve done, what is pending, and why. We've developed a clear strategy to complete the outstanding tasks,” said Oparanya. The Cabinet secretary highlighted that a major priority is ensuring proper governance across the cooperative ecosystem, recognizing its critical role in economic empowerment. In addition, he pointed to reforms in the coffee and dairy sectors as core focus areas: “Coffee is doing well this year. Farmers are getting good prices, and that is key for our economic revival. Kenya used to be the number one coffee producer in Africa—we are now number five. We must reclaim that position. The President has supported us with dedicated funding, and we’re determined to make Kenya number once again,” he said. “Dairy also touches millions of livelihoods. That’s another sector we are actively reforming to improve incomes and stability for producers,” he added. On the MSME front, CS Oparanya emphasized the Ministry’s coordination mandate, particularly in bringing together the many public and private players in the space Oparanya reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to improving financial access for MSMEs through various vehicles, including the Hustler Fund, Kenya Industrial Estates (KIE), and the Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA). “In October, Kenya will host one of the largest MSME Trade Fairs in East Africa, which will bring together entrepreneurs from all eight EAC countries to showcase their products and unlock new markets. This is how we open regional trade opportunities for our people.” *Humanizing Delivery and Bottom-Up Commitments* Principal Secretary Susan Mang’eni delivered a keynote address on the ministry’s people-facing mandate, stressing that every intervention must reflect the human face of governance. “We are the ministry entrusted with delivering the Hustler Nation promise. We carry the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) – the soul of this administration,” she said. Mang’eni outlined six intervention areas: sector coordination, financial inclusion, market access, capacity building, cooperative governance, and revitalization of critical value chains like dairy and coffee. She urged ministry departments to align their work to these focus areas, advocating for better talent deployment and adherence to standard procedures to avoid audit pitfalls. “When people lose access to their savings because of collapsed SACCOs, it’s not just a number – it’s a child missing school, a parent denied medical care. We must lead with empathy and purpose,” she remarked. Principal Secretary Kilemi echoed the Cabinet Secretary’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of synergy across all government units. “No single agency can achieve its mandate in isolation. Coordination and shared goals are key to achieving lasting results for our citizens,” he said *Stakeholder Engagement, Communication & Technology Gaps* The retreat also cast a spotlight on critical institutional challenges, calling for an overhaul of communication strategies and a more deliberate engagement with stakeholders to build trust and credibility. Moreover, the staff were challenged to embrace innovation, including digital transformation and artificial intelligence (AI). “What is our strategy on AI?”. “Are we part of the national digital transformation agenda or trailing behind?” SCAC *Commendation and Caution on Reform Agenda* The Ministry was applauded for efforts reflecting a whole-of-government approach and for participating actively in the ongoing state corporation reforms. *Vision 2030, BETA, Africa Agenda, and SDGs* The state Corporation Advisory Committee (SCAC) emphasized that the goal of the Ministry should be to promote corporate governance practices that bolster resilience and sustainability, not just internally but across the broader economy. “As a ministry, we must ensure our actions align with Vision 2030, the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), Africa’s continental development goals, and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our impact must be felt beyond the boardroom.” Lilian Akinyi SCAC quoted. In his closing remarks, Deputy Chief of Staff Mr. Owalo reinforced the urgency of shifting from planning to delivery: “Let’s move from paper-based outputs to people-centered outcomes. Let’s execute with precision, report with honesty, and lead with impact.” The workshop, attended by top officials including CEOs of MSEA, Hustler Fund, SASRA, Kenya Industrial Estates, New KCC, and New KPCU, reaffirmed the ministry's commitment to driving socio-economic transformation through cooperative development and MSME empowerment. With the spotlight firmly on performance, the ministry now faces the challenge of turning strategy into sustained, inclusive impact.