Informal Sector Key to Alleviating Poverty, Says Kibaki

from All Africa

East African Standard (Nairobi)

NEWS

By Elizabeth Mwai
Nairobi

Sustained growth in the Jua Kali sector would go a long way in uplifting the living standards of the poor.

In this respect, the Government will expand the sector to allow more youths to participate in it, said President Kibaki.

"This work should continue to expand in order to improve the welfare of the people," said Kibaki.

He was speaking on Sunday at the closing of the weeklong East Africa Community (EAC) Jua Kali Nguvu Kazi exhibition at the Kenyatta International Conference Centre.

The aim of the exhibition was to share culture and tradition amongst EAC members.

Earlier, Kibaki attended Mass at the Holy Family Basilica before proceeding to KICC on foot.

The theme of the exhibition was, 'Promotion of regional integration and employment creation through sustainable enterprise development'.

The Jua Kali sector accounts for about 18 per cent of the Gross Domestic Product.

Kibaki said the exhibition served as a uniting factor among the East African countries, and the jua kali initiative should receive enormous support from the Government.

The sector has been listed as one of the fields where the Government has been able to fulfill one of its election pledges of creating half a million jobs per year.

While presiding over the Kenyatta Day celebration, Kibaki promised that if he was re-elected his Government would work towards reducing poverty by creating more space for small enterprises.

Also present at the exhibition were Sports minister, Mr Maina Kamanda, East African Cooperation minister, Dr Wilfred Machage, and Nairobi Mayor, Mr Dick Wathika.