KAKUMA – More than 150 entrepreneurs from refugee and host communities converged in Kakuma on Thursday with one common goal: to put their businesses in front of more customers, create new connections, and find opportunities to grow.
From agricultural produce and food products to crafts, clothing, and other locally made goods, the Kakuma Market Trade Fair and Exhibition provided traders with a platform to showcase what they produce and demonstrate the growing entrepreneurial potential of the Kakuma-Kalobeyei area.
Held at the Kakuma Mixed Primary School Football Ground, the exhibition brought together entrepreneurs, customers, investors, financial institutions, development partners, and government representatives, creating a marketplace where businesses could sell, network, and explore new opportunities. The event was organized by the Kakuma Kalobeyei Challenge Fund (KKCF) in partnership with a range of development and private-sector actors. For the entrepreneurs, however, the value of the exhibition went far beyond displaying products.
Mwenda Kataka, a refugee entrepreneur from Kakuma, shared that the event gave him business visibility that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. He noted that while local traders often produce high-quality goods, reaching new customers remains their biggest obstacle. Being at the fair allowed him to connect with new buyers, many of whom made immediate purchases or inquired about long-term product orders.
Host-community trader Ann Njoroge, who rears poultry for sale, highlighted how the exhibition created a vital space for businesses from both communities to learn from one another. She emphasized that despite coming from different backgrounds, entrepreneurs share identical ambitions to build successful enterprises, making the fair a powerful catalyst for exchanging ideas and seeking collective growth.
The exhibition was presided over by Turkana Deputy Governor Dr. John Erus, who was accompanied by local leaders, heads of NGOs, and members of the community. Dr. Erus stressed that platforms connecting entrepreneurs to broader markets are essential for transitioning local businesses from survival enterprises into sustainable, scaling operations.
He noted that uniting refugee and host-community entrepreneurs strengthens the entire local economy, and he urged stakeholders to keep investing in financial access, skills development, and market linkages.
Refugee entrepreneur Imani Rugenge reiterated that direct interaction with potential partners was the event’s most valuable asset, noting that a single connection to a larger market could completely transform a small business. Similarly, host-community trader Baba Robi pointed out that the trade fair successfully challenged the common misconception that Kakuma only hosts small, informal operations, proving instead that local traders are producing high-quality goods and running serious commercial enterprises.
Operating under the theme “Showcasing Local Innovation, Strengthening Markets, Building Partnerships,” the fair drew support from key partners including GIZ, Danish Refugee Council (DRC), BOMA, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Village Enterprise, DanChurchAid (DCA), International Trade Centre, and the World Food Programme (WFP). Beyond immediate sales, the gathering facilitated vital business-to-business networking, allowing traders to directly engage financial institutions and investors regarding funding and future partnerships.
Ultimately, the convergence of refugee and host-community businesses served as a practical demonstration of how shared economic activity fosters social cohesion. The exhibition offered local traders far more than a single day of sales; it provided visibility, market access, and a path toward sustainable livelihoods. As the event concluded, entrepreneurs left with a clear message: Kakuma’s businesses are ready for expanded market opportunities if the platforms to connect them continue to grow.
This momentum aligns directly with the mission of the KKCF, an economic development initiative focused on unlocking the full potential of refugee and host communities in Kakuma and Kalobeyei. By backing local entrepreneurs and strengthening market systems, KKCF continues to drive private-sector expansion, improve livelihoods, and promote deeper economic integration across the region.
