By Winnie Kamau
Nairobi, Kenya: The report launched by Viffa Consult examines the business climate in 10 counties. The County Business Support Index report evaluates critical factors such as licensing costs, availability of support programs, infrastructure, and other indicators that impact business operations.
The index aims to identify strengths, weaknesses, and opportunities at the county level. This data-driven approach can help county governments facilitate entrepreneurial growth through evidence-based policies, resources, and collaborations.
The study looked at County Finance Bills and Annual Development plans from Bungoma, Uasin Gishu, Kakamega, Kajiado, Nakuru, Kiambu, Kisii, Kisumu, Mombasa, and Nairobi Counties.
The report showed that Uasin Gishu County emerged top of the County Business Support Index Overall Rank Followed by Nakuru, Kakamega, and Bungoma Counties.
In the report it showed Nairobi County as the most expensive County in General Trade Business License Costs, followed by Mombasa and Kisumu County.
Speaking at the launch Viffa Consult CEO Victor Otieno explained the aim of the study saying “We were looking at the general business environment within the counties in supporting entrepreneurs manifesting as MSMEs and Startups.”
For the Industrial Plant Cost County Ranking, Kiambu emerged on top, followed by Uasin Gishu and Bungoma County.
Uasin Gishu, Kisumu, Nakuru, Mombasa, and Nairobi led in Business License Unification and Automation. Kiambu scored 0% due to its lack of automated services and license unification.
“We need to applaud Counties because a majority of them were able to unify their licenses where you pay only one license that is consolidated by bringing together the trade license, public health, and fire. As you consolidate the license you need to automate and ensure you can get these licenses pretty quickly through digital platforms” noted Victor on unification and automation of licenses.
Uasin Gishu and Nakuru topped the Infrastructure County Performance category, which assessed water, roads, energy, and incubation hubs. Kakamega, Kajiado, and Kisumu followed closely.
In Business Support Services and Incentives County Performance, Uasin Gishu and Nakuru again took the lead. Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisii, Kajiado, and Bungoma did not score in this category.
The report recommended that counties strengthen their data collection and management systems to ensure comparability and ease of analysis.
“We recommend Counties to ensure we are able to map out the small businesses within our counties and to ensure that we are able to give tailored support even as we get revenue from them” noted Victor.
Adding “It is easier for you to give tailored support that makes sense to Mama Mboga if we are able to get that data and know which business they are doing” he urged.
Additionally, the recommendation emphasized the importance of enhancing reporting quality, focusing on results and outcomes, and improving communication and engagement through regular stakeholder consultations.
