President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived at Strathmore University for the SMEs Round Table Forum for Traders armed with a written speech about how the government is developing small business enterprises in Kenya.
But after listening to the traders talk about their challenges, the head of state was too embarrassed to go on with his written speech saying the matters raised need quick action and not reading policy matters.
President @UKenyatta declines to read the written speech at the SMEs Round Table forum for Traders in Nairobi at the Strathmore University saying it will only embarrass him since matters raised need quick action and not reading policy matters.
— Philip Etale (@EtalePhilip) October 16, 2018
Kenyans have however not been impressed with the President, with most of them wondering why it has taken so long for him to realize that small enterprises need quick action in order to develop.
Where has been? and who is responsible for the failure of taking the quick action
— Duncan (@DunochD) October 16, 2018
Ndo amefika Kenya? Quick action from who(m) and why hasn’t it been forthcoming?
— Omar Bond (@AstronautKE) October 16, 2018
That’s now the working President. The bold move on Chinese fish is super. And btw why can’t county government do better in Gikomba among other areas.
— Prince Vinny Juniour (@JuniourVinny) October 16, 2018
Uhuru ended up apologizing to the traders saying the government has failed them. He directed the Energy Regulatory Commission and the Ministry of Energy to review electricity tariffs, with the aim of reducing the cost for small businesses within a month.
I have directed the Cabinet Secretary for Energy @ketercharles to review electricity cost for #SMEs and come up with a sustainable plan to ensure the cost of power to small and medium-sized enterprises is brought down | #SMEconference2018 #SMEroundtable @WilliamsRuto
— Uhuru Kenyatta (@UKenyatta) October 16, 2018
He also directed his entire administration to strengthen its engagement with the SMEs sector and to collaboratively address the constraints that hinder the productivity of the sector.
“The SME community, represents 75% of the country’s workforce and we need to sit down and know how we will respond to the industry. We owe it to them,” said the President.