annual Speaker’s Roundtable

Last Updated 3 months ago by Kenya Engineer

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) recently partnered with the National Assembly in Naivasha to co-host the annual Speaker’s Roundtable, a strategic forum designed to boost Kenya’s economic performance through private-public collaboration. This year’s roundtable brought together the Right Honorable Speaker of the National Assembly, senior House leadership, committee chairs, and leaders from key industries to drive actionable strategies for Kenya’s economic development.

The retreat, structured around sector-focused sessions, enabled in-depth discussions on industry-specific challenges and opportunities. With sectors such as Trade and Industry, Energy, Finance, National Planning, Agriculture, Health, and ICT represented, the roundtable provided a rare platform for businesses to directly influence legislative direction, aligning policy development with industry needs for enhanced growth.

Rt. Hon. Dr. Moses Wetang’ula, Speaker of the National Assembly, highlighted the critical role of these sessions in fostering Kenya’s economic resilience. “KEPSA’s dedication to building engagement between the private sector and government is crucial for national progress. Such collaborations are key to creating a stable and transparent investment environment that fosters job creation, economic stability, and social advancement,” he said, emphasizing the importance of unified efforts to fight corruption and create a business-friendly Kenya.

Legislative Progress and Future Priorities

Reflecting on Kenya’s remarkable climb in the World Bank’s Doing Business rankings—from 132nd in 2014 to 56th by 2019—KEPSA Chair Dr. Jas Bedi pointed to the transformative impact of progressive legislation. He stressed that while strides have been made, there is an urgent need to address high operational costs and enhance infrastructure to make Kenya globally competitive.

“To position Kenya as an economic leader in Africa, we must focus on lowering business costs, streamlining trade logistics, and ensuring dependable access to essential resources like power,” Dr. Bedi added. He also highlighted the importance of enabling small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and promoting inclusive policies for women entrepreneurs to fully leverage Kenya’s workforce potential.

KEPSA CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki outlined the organization’s National Business Agenda, targeting five critical drivers of competitiveness: affordable utilities, accessible financing, skilled labor productivity, reduced logistics costs, and streamlined trade policies. Her address underscored KEPSA’s commitment to partnering with the government on legislative priorities that promote job creation, wealth distribution, and social development.

The Road Ahead: Building a Competitive Business Environment

Leader of the Majority Party, Hon. Kimani Ichungw’ah, acknowledged the complexities of the current economic landscape, emphasizing the importance of adaptive and responsive legislation. “Kenya is navigating a rapidly evolving global economy. To succeed, we must create laws that are economically sound and aligned with the demands of a dynamic business environment,” he said, noting the importance of fostering an atmosphere that supports sustainable business growth and investment security.

A joint communique from the roundtable reaffirmed a shared commitment to public-private partnerships (PPPs) as a key element of Kenya’s economic strategy. KEPSA pledged to amplify its role in advocating for business-friendly policies and educating stakeholders on upcoming legislation, while the National Assembly promised to reinforce laws promoting sustainable investments, affordable business operations, and a robust regulatory environment.

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