VISION
To be the leader in promoting innovative business growth and investments for wealth creation in the
Country
MISSION
To create a vibrant and conducive environment for Enterprise Development and economic growth in
the County
MANDATE
The general mandate of the Department is to Promote and support trade within and outside the county,
to spearhead the county’s industrialization Agenda, to promote Tourism development, and support
growth of the co-operative movement through the formation and oversight of Co-operative societies.
CORE FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT
Internal Trade Department
Facilitating Business and Entrepreneurship Development
Improving business environment
Supporting growth and development of wholesale and retail trade and markets
Developing an integrated trade data information system
Providing innovative business support services
Enhancing Accessibility to Business Information
Facilitating Increased Access to Trade Finance through Revitalization of the County Enterprise Fund [CEF]
Monitoring the impact and Review of the implementation of trade-related legislation and
regulations
Facilitating continuous engagement, information sharing, and interaction between the
National and County Governments on trade development issues
Facilitating the improvement of supply chain efficiency in wholesale and retail department
Provision of micro and small loans to existing traders through the CEF
Training on basic bookkeeping/ proper accounting, loan usage, and repayment for SACCOs,
SME’s and MFIs
Promoting the development of small-scale and simple industrial entrepreneurship e.g.
handcraft, metal works, carpentry, and hides and skin processing
Weights and Measures Section
Continuously maintaining accurate standards of weights and measures for use in checking the
accuracy of all weighing and measuring equipment in use for trade
Ensuring fairness in trade transactions involving quantity measurements through regular
checks of all weighing and measuring equipment in use for trade and inspection of all trading
premises and test weighing pre-packed goods in shops
Continuously ensuring that all new types or patterns of weighing and measuring equipment
intended for use for trade conform to specifications laid down in law
Regular monitoring of persons engaged in the manufacture, repair, and sales of weighing and
measuring equipment for trade use
Regular scanning of all advertisements in the media, and billboards to detect and prevent the
use of false trade descriptions of goods and service
Maintenance and procurement of physical legal metrology standards for use in calibrating
our working standards and eventually verification of the traders’ equipment. This is done twice a year through a comparison of standards with the higher accuracy secondary standards in the National Physical Laboratory in Nairobi.
Verification and stamping of traders weighing and measuring equipment to determine their accuracy and advice on the action to be taken on faulty equipment-This is done either in-situ where the equipment is like in coffee factories, dairies, manufacturing industries, etc., or in
selected strategic market centres where all traders nearby congregate and submit their equipment.
Investigation and prosecution of cases of non-compliance to the Weights and Measures Act, Trade Descriptions Act, and Anti-counterfeit Act.
Traders and consumers education and training on fair trade practices.
Industrialization
Capacity building for industrial development and quality service delivery
Establishing the policy, legal, and institutional framework for industrialization.
Attracting local and foreign industrial investment
Promotion of the development of Micro, Small and Medium Industries (MSMIs).
Promotion of research and development (R& D); innovation and technology adoption.
Facilitating the creation of a conducive business environment for Micro and Small Industries
Promoting growth, graduation, productivity, and competitiveness of Micro and Small Industries.
Conducting resource endowment mapping and promoting investment opportunities in the regions.
Provision of Business Development Services for Micro and Small Industries.
Facilitating linkages of Micro and Small Industries with Medium and large industries
Co-operatives Development
Improving management of co-operatives
Reviving dormant societies
Broadening the financial base of societies Increasing the participation of people in co-operatives
KEY ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE DEPARTMENT
Successful completion of Marsabit Modern market
The department developed the County Trade and Investment policy which is currently at the
cabinet-level
Food Safety and Quality strategy was also developed in collaboration with relevant
departments and is currently at the cabinet level
Through the support of the LMS Department strategic plan and Marsabit Chapter Chamber of
Commerce strategic plan was developed and ready for launch
Plans are underway to formulate and develop Public Private Partnership Policy
Many Co-operatives Societies formed along Livestock products and Ushangaa among other
value chains
Trained over 1000 Youths and Women on entrepreneurship in collaboration with partners to
equip them with entrepreneurial skills.
Many Cooperative members and officials were trained in Cooperative Governance.
40 SMEs were trained on Post-harvest management loss through partners.
Good working relations with the development partners supporting the department.
