Cabinet Secretary for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Wycliffe Oparanya has vowed to resign if the current government, led by President William Ruto, fails to implement the strategies he has put forward for the sector.
Speaking at a church service in Western, Oparanya explained his commitment to the development of MSMEs and the broader economic landscape, drawing on his successful track record as the former Governor of Kakamega County.
"You saw the work I did in Kakamega, and that is why these people looked around and agreed that I can help in delivering," Oparanya remarked, referencing his tenure in Kakamega where he is credited with spearheading several developmental projects.
His administration in Kakamega was lauded for its efforts in infrastructure development, healthcare improvements, and enhancing local economies through support to small businesses.
Oparanya's appointment to the MSMEs docket was seen as a strategic move by President Ruto's administration to leverage his experience in local governance and economic management.
However, Oparanya made it clear that his continued service in the Cabinet hinges on the government’s willingness to heed his advice and implement the strategies he deems necessary for the growth of the MSME sector.
"I will help them, but when they fail to take my advice, I will resign and come back home because if you want to be assisted, you must accept," Oparanya stated.
During his vetting by the National Assembly Committee on Appointments, Oparanya vowed to transform the sector after a successful revolution of the milk business in Kakamega County.
He promised to introduce changes to the hustler-fund, a flagship project of the Bottom Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
“If you approve my nomination, the first thing I would do is make sure that there is a proper legal framework, and ensure there is a board and staff to manage the fund,” Oparanya told members of the Committee on Appointments.
The new Cabinet Secretary is tasked with the most important docket in President William Ruto's administration to ensure that Kenyans at the bottom of the economic pyramid receive a boost.
Top of all is the repayment strategy of the hustler fund that millions of Kenyans have defaulted without a bother or a plan to pay back the government loan.
