Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has announced that the government is taking major strides to formalize and empower the Jua Kali sector, which is a vital livelihood source for millions of Kenyans.
Speaking at a multi-agency meeting held at his residence in Karen, Nairobi, Gachagua highlighted the sector’s significant contribution to the economy through its skilled workforce.
“The Jua Kali Sector plays a crucial role in supporting millions of our citizens.
It is brimming with skills and expertise that are essential to our economic growth,” Gachagua stated.
He emphasized that the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy represents a transformative approach aimed at elevating the status of Jua Kali workers.
This initiative, according to the Deputy President, will not only enhance the dignity of the sector’s workforce but also create job opportunities both locally and internationally.
It aims to facilitate financing options for self-employment and convert informal skills into formal job prospects.
The meeting, which was attended by key government officials including State House Deputy Chief of Staff Josphat Nanok and Principal Secretaries Roseline Njogu from the State Department for Diaspora Affairs and
Idris Dokota from Cabinet Affairs, focused on collaborative efforts to support this sector.
Additionally, representatives from the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET),
The Kenya National Quality Authority, the National Industrial Training Authority, and the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority were present.
The government’s commitment to this sector reflects its broader agenda to integrate informal employment into the formal economy and provide robust support for local artisans.
