Machakos County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Industry, Tourism, SMEs and Innovation, Sharon Muasya speaking during an Exhibitors’ Breakfast Meeting and media briefing held at Machakos Golf Club on February 12, 2026. Photo by Virginia Siebella. 
By Virginia Siebella
The County Government of Machakos, in partnership with TJ Premier Events and the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), has intensified preparations for the upcoming Second Edition of the Machakos Trade Expo following an Exhibitors’ Breakfast Meeting and media briefing held at Machakos Golf Club.
The high-level meeting, graced by the County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Trade, Industry, Tourism, SMEs and Innovation, Sharon Muasya, brought together key stakeholders drawn from Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).
Participants represented diverse sectors including hospitality, tourism, leather, wood carving, weaving, manufacturing, banking, and other enterprise segments. The expo is projected to host more than 150 exhibitors and attract over 3,000 visitors and buyers, positioning it as a major platform for business networking, growth and market expansion.
Speaking during the briefing, Josephat Nyongesa of TJ Premier Events highlighted market access as one of the most pressing challenges facing entrepreneurs. He noted that exhibitions have proven to be a transformative platform for business growth by enabling traders to benchmark and learn from peers in similar industries.
“One of the major challenges business people have been facing is accessing markets for their products. Through the exhibitions we have organized, they have been able to open their minds and engage in benchmarking by learning what their counterparts are doing,” said Nyongesa. “As a result, these businesses have expanded their perspectives, understood better business practices and improved their operations.”
Nyongesa further noted that such forums have helped reshape the relationship between traders and county governments. He observed that many business owners previously viewed county administrations mainly as regulatory bodies focused on licensing, but exhibitions have helped foster collaboration and trust among businesses, county authorities and other stakeholders.
On her part, Sharon Muasya emphasized that this year’s expo will prioritize inclusivity by creating opportunities for youth, women and persons living with disabilities. She underscored the county government’s commitment to empowering young entrepreneurs through legislative and financial support mechanisms.
“As a county government under the leadership of H.E. Hon. Wavinya Ndeti, we have launched the Youth Fund through the Department of Education and Youth,” Muasya said. “The fund, operationalized through the Machakos Youth Empowerment Amendment Act 2025, allows young people to access grants to support and grow their businesses.”
Meanwhile, KNCCI Lower Eastern Region Chair Mutavi Kithu raised concerns over the burden of multiple business licenses, describing it as a major obstacle to enterprise growth. He pointed out that many traders are required to secure several permits for a single business, including public health certificates, liquor licenses and other regulatory approvals, often resulting in increased operational costs.
“We have engaged the government on this matter, and there is an ongoing program aimed at consolidating these licenses into a unified system,” said Kithu. “However, we believe that is not enough. Government representatives should directly engage business owners to understand their experiences and identify practical ways traders can benefit from these reforms.”
Kithu added that the Machakos branch of KNCCI is implementing initiatives aimed at increasing visibility for local businesses and expanding their market opportunities.
The Machakos Trade Expo continues to gain recognition as a strategic platform that brings together policymakers, investors, and entrepreneurs, fostering partnerships that promote enterprise development and regional economic growth.
Organizers expressed optimism that the second edition will surpass the success of the inaugural event by unlocking new business opportunities and strengthening collaboration among stakeholders.
