WYCLIFFE OPARANYA OFFICIALLY TAKES OVER THE AS CABINET SECRETARY FOR CO-OPERATIVES.
BY NJOKI KARANJA.
In an official handover ceremony today, Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya, EGH, stepped into his role as the new Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development, succeeding Hon. Simon Chelugui, EGH, who served in the position for one year and eight months. 
During the handover meeting, Chelugui reflected on his tenure, highlighting significant accomplishments that he believes have set the foundation for future initiatives. A standout achievement was the advancement of the Cooperative Bill, a critical document that has been in discussion for 15 years. “We were able to conclude public participation and submit the document to Cabinet and later to Parliament,” he noted. Chelugui urged Oparanya to prioritize the bill's enactment, emphasizing its potential to tackle pressing governance challenges facing the cooperative sector.
Additionally, Chelugui discussed the introduction of the Coffee Bill, which seeks to reestablish the Coffee Code of Kenya. He called it a vital step toward enhancing the marketing of Kenyan coffee and supporting farmers within the industry.
Addressing ongoing challenges, Chelugui highlighted the importance of shared services technology in the cooperative movement, which he believes could reduce operational costs and increase the value-addition capabilities of cooperatives. He specifically pointed to the New Kenya Cooperative Creameries (KCC), advocating for a review of its operations to better cater to the needs of grassroots dairy farmers.
Chelugui also acknowledged the impact of the Hustler Fund, which has reached over 22 million Kenyans, and voiced his hope that the new administration would bolster its effectiveness. He stressed the urgent need to reduce the cost of animal feeds and improve governance within cooperatives to ensure sustainability moving forward.
In a show of camaraderie, Chelugui pledged his support to Oparanya, cautioning him about the competing interests that often arise in the coffee sector. He expressed confidence that Oparanya would build upon the initiatives launched during his tenure and address unresolved matters including the Startup Bill and the Credit Guarantee Scheme.
As he addressed attendees for the first time as Cabinet Secretary, Oparanya expressed gratitude for the groundwork laid by his predecessor and articulated his vision for the ministry. He underscored the critical role of the MSME sector in driving Kenya's economic growth and pledged to advocate for improved access to credit. Oparanya committed to working on reducing bureaucratic hurdles that impede the progress of small businesses, stating, “We will ensure that our micro and small businesses have the support they need to thrive.”
The handover of leadership marks a pivotal moment for the Ministry, as Oparanya gears up to implement his initiatives while continuing to champion ongoing legislation critical to the cooperative and MSME sectors.
As stakeholders in the cooperative movement and MSME sector look on, many await the impacts of Oparanya’s policies in the months to come, hopeful that they will lead to new opportunities and sustainable growth.
