KIE named top state corporation as Ruto pushes human capital agenda

Kenya Industrial Estates has been ranked the Best Performing State Corporation at the 2026 National Productivity and Performance Conference. The recognition highlights its expanding role in industrial development and enterprise support across Kenya.

The award was announced at the Kenya School of Government in Nairobi. The event brought together government leaders, policymakers, and private sector stakeholders. President William Ruto attended the conference.

KIE was recognised for its work supporting Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises. Its interventions include affordable financing, provision of industrial workspaces, and business advisory services.

Speaking after the announcement, Principal Secretary Susan Auma Mang'eni welcomed the award. She said it reflects the institution’s contribution to Kenya’s industrialisation drive.

"Congratulations to Kenya Industrial Estates for being recognised as the Best Performing State Corporation at the National Productivity and Performance Conference 2026. This recognition reflects KIE's outstanding contribution to Kenya's industrialisation agenda through accessible and affordable financing," said Mang'eni.

She added that KIE remains central to government plans to expand manufacturing and enterprise growth. The target is to raise manufacturing’s share of GDP to 20 per cent by 2030.

"As a key State Corporation under the State Department for MSMEs Development, KIE plays a pivotal role in advancing the Government's goal of increasing manufacturing's contribution to GDP to 20 per cent by 2030," she added.

Mang’eni also commended the corporation’s leadership and staff for supporting entrepreneurs and strengthening local industry.

At the close of the conference, President Ruto focused on reforms in the public service. He emphasized merit-based recruitment and investment in skills development.

"We are committed to upholding merit, fairness, and transparency in our Public Service. By firmly embedding these principles into hiring and promotion processes, and rewarding performance and innovation, we will unleash the immense talent and expertise in our workforce," said the President.

He warned that development cannot be achieved without investing in people.

"No nation can rise higher than the collective skills, discipline, and diligence of its people. To fully realise our developmental aspirations, we must make bold, substantial investments in our human capital," he said.

Ruto also called for continuous upskilling to keep the workforce competitive in a changing global economy.

"Additionally, in a rapidly evolving global economy, we must be persistently proactive in re-tooling and skilling this workforce to stay ahead. In so doing, we are following the blueprint of nations such as South Korea and Singapore, which placed education at the heart of their economic transformation," he said.

He further highlighted focus on specialised training in science, research, and technology.

"We are also focusing on specialised training in research, science, and technology. This is a strategic move to train top-notch human capital necessary to power national transformation, drive our productivity, and secure shared prosperity."

The National Productivity and Performance Conference brings together public institutions and sector leaders to assess performance and recognise excellence in service delivery.

Established in 1967, Kenya Industrial Estates is a government development finance institution. It supports industrialisation through financing and technical services for small and medium enterprises, with emphasis on rural industrial growth. It operates under the Ministry of Cooperatives and MSME Development.

Over the years, the institution has supported thousands of entrepreneurs, especially in areas with limited access to finance and business services.

The award comes as government efforts to expand manufacturing and value addition intensify. MSMEs continue to be positioned as a key driver of jobs, innovation, and economic growth.