NAIROBI, Kenya – The Kenyan government is taking steps to formalize and empower the Jua Kali sector according to Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Speaking after a high-level, multi-agency meeting at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, Gachagua underscored the need to recognize and uplift the vast pool of skills within the informal economy, which plays a crucial role in driving the nation’s economic engine.
“The Jua Kali sector is rich in expertise that sustains millions of livelihoods and powers our economy,” Gachagua noted. “We are introducing a revolutionary shift to ensure these skills are not only recognized but dignified.”
A cornerstone of this transformation is the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy, which formalizes informal skills through certification.
This initiative, Gachagua said, will pave the way for local artisans to access financing for self-employment and establish international job linkages.
The policy aims to convert practical expertise honed through years of informal labor into formal qualifications, enhancing job mobility and professional opportunities both at home and abroad.
“This is not just about formalizing skills,” Gachagua emphasized. “It’s about creating pathways to global employment, uplifting families, and transforming Kenya’s economy by giving dignity and value to informal work.”
The Deputy President chaired a meeting that brought together key government officials and agencies integral to the initiative.
Attendees included Josphat Nanok, the Deputy Chief of Staff at State House; Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs; and Idris Dokota, Principal Secretary for Cabinet Affairs.
Representatives from the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the Kenya National Qualifications Authority, and the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority were also present.
This move marks a turning point in Kenya’s efforts to integrate the Jua Kali sector into the formal economy.
By bridging the gap between informal skills and formal recognition, the government aims to open new doors for artisans, positioning Kenya’s workforce to compete on a global scale while boosting local industries.
The Jua Kali sector, known for its artisanship, craftsmanship, and small-scale manufacturing, has long been an essential part of Kenya’s economic landscape.
Speaking after a high-level, multi-agency meeting at his official residence in Karen, Nairobi, Gachagua underscored the need to recognize and uplift the vast pool of skills within the informal economy, which plays a crucial role in driving the nation’s economic engine.
“The Jua Kali sector is rich in expertise that sustains millions of livelihoods and powers our economy,” Gachagua noted. “We are introducing a revolutionary shift to ensure these skills are not only recognized but dignified.”
A cornerstone of this transformation is the implementation of the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Policy, which formalizes informal skills through certification.
This initiative, Gachagua said, will pave the way for local artisans to access financing for self-employment and establish international job linkages.
The policy aims to convert practical expertise honed through years of informal labor into formal qualifications, enhancing job mobility and professional opportunities both at home and abroad.
“This is not just about formalizing skills,” Gachagua emphasized. “It’s about creating pathways to global employment, uplifting families, and transforming Kenya’s economy by giving dignity and value to informal work.”
The Deputy President chaired a meeting that brought together key government officials and agencies integral to the initiative.
Attendees included Josphat Nanok, the Deputy Chief of Staff at State House; Roseline Njogu, Principal Secretary of the State Department for Diaspora Affairs; and Idris Dokota, Principal Secretary for Cabinet Affairs.
Representatives from the State Department for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), the Kenya National Qualifications Authority, and the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority were also present.
This move marks a turning point in Kenya’s efforts to integrate the Jua Kali sector into the formal economy.
By bridging the gap between informal skills and formal recognition, the government aims to open new doors for artisans, positioning Kenya’s workforce to compete on a global scale while boosting local industries.
The Jua Kali sector, known for its artisanship, craftsmanship, and small-scale manufacturing, has long been an essential part of Kenya’s economic landscape.
