Top 100 SMEs in Kenya: Trueblaq Limited has been named this year’s top small and medium company in the Business Daily 2019 Top 100 SMEs Awards.

The company was started by the late Kevin Ombajo who succumbed to a brain tumour two years ago. Big Kev, who was the CEO and founder of Trueblaq, had been battling with the tumour for six years. Over that period he underwent over 10 brain surgeries.

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“I dedicate this award to my late brother who started this business and to God,” said Jacqueline Ombajo, Trueblaq’s chief executive officer and the late Big Kev’s sister. Ms. Ombajo was also named as the 2019 CEO of the year. Tru Blaq is an events organizing and marketing firm.

Established in 2001, Trueblaq has become the premier experiential marketing company in Kenya. “The company was founded on the realization that there were many untapped experiential marketing opportunities in the region. As the industry needs have grown, True Blaq has grown with them, ensuring quality delivery of service and success of our events and promotions,” said a statement from the firm.

The Business Daily 2019 Top 100 SMEs Awards aim to recognize small and medium enterprises with an annual turnover of between Sh. 50 million and Sh. 100 million.

KPMG East Africa chief executive Benson Ndung’u said that more than three quarters of small and medium-sized companies in Kenya are planning to hire more workers in the near future. “They have high confidence in economic outlook going forward and significant level of confidence in growth prospects within their respective industries. That resonates with the 77 percent confidence that they will be hiring,” he said during the gala event.

The Top 100 SMEs in Kenya survey is conducted annually by KPMG and the Business Daily. The Business Daily is the leading business newspaper in Kenya. It is owned by the Nation Media Group.