By Perez Karisa, June 24, 2026
Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives and MSMEs Development Wycliffe Oparanya has presided over a celebratory cake-cutting ceremony following the ministry’s top ranking in the Ministerial Best Improved Performance Category for the 2024/2025 financial year.
The celebration, held during a strategic performance review retreat and mid-term evaluation workshop in Nanyuki, Laikipia County, brought together Principal Secretaries Susan Mang’eni (MSMEs) and Patrick Kilemi (Cooperatives), alongside senior ministry officials, advisors, and heads of agencies under the ministry.
The ministry was officially awarded a Certificate of Excellence in Performance by President William Ruto during the Public Service Performance Awards held at the Kenya School of Government on June 19, 2026, recognizing its improved efficiency and service delivery across key programmes.
Speaking during the retreat, CS Oparanya said the recognition should not mark an endpoint but rather serve as motivation for higher performance standards, especially in delivering meaningful economic impact at the grassroots level.
He emphasized that the ministry’s focus remains on strengthening support systems for farmers, small-scale traders, artisans, and micro and small enterprises across the country. According to Oparanya, these groups form the backbone of Kenya’s economic recovery and job creation agenda.
The retreat also reviewed inter-agency coordination within the ministry’s State Corporations (SAGAs), with discussions centered on improving efficiency in ongoing financial inclusion programmes and reducing duplication of efforts across departments.
Officials noted that enhanced collaboration is expected to accelerate access to affordable credit, expand cooperative societies, and improve market linkages for MSMEs nationwide.
The ministry’s improved performance ranking comes at a time when the government is intensifying efforts to strengthen the cooperative movement and expand economic opportunities for small business operators as part of its broader development agenda.
