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Author: Kenyaleo Editorial Team

  • Naivas graduate trainee programme 1st graduation

     

    Recruiting and training the best people is core to Naivas’ mission to provide Kenyans with a world-class shopping experience. For this reason,, the business has been running a graduate trainee program since 2023.

    The programme is aimed at upskilling fresh graduates with competencies in various business functions within retail. The GT
    programme is an intense 9-month period for fresh graduates, where they are taken through various parts of the retail business.

    Retail contributes 9% to Kenya’s GDP, making it an important industry. Developing the next generation of retail leaders is therefore critical to ensuring the sector’s continued growth. As the leading supermarket chain in Kenya, Naivas takes its role in this development seriously. From a career perspective, the retail industry has, in many instances, been looked at as a fallback plan, rather than a first choice.

    As Naivas has developed its business through innovation, such as the Foodmarket concept, the supermarket career option has become more attractive. Naivas is now looked at as an employer of choice, especially given the wide array of expertise required in fields such as finance, marketing, supply chain, IT and others.

    “Naivas wants to attract and retain the best talent in the country. Beyond this, we want to ensure that we develop career paths for our employees, and it is for this reason that we set out to create the Naivas Retail Academy, with the graduate trainee (GT) program being one of its pillars. We are therefore pleased to be celebrating the first graduation in this program, with 35 trainees becoming Naivas employees today. However, this is only the beginning, and we expect to expand this programme, including onboarding more learning institutions,” remarked Andreas von Paleske Naivas, Chief of Strategy.

    “A key measure of success for me is how we continue to transform the industry, and core to this is having the right people. For Naivas, a homegrown Kenyan brand, developing the next generation of leaders is an important step forward. This program is also a testament to our commitment to ensuring that the business will outlive all its founders,” said David Kimani

  • International Symposium on Intellectual Property, Protection, and Enforcement (ISIPPE-2) to Mark World Anti-Counterfeit Day 2024

     

    Kenya commemorated this year’s World Anti-Counterfeit Day by hosting the second edition of the International Symposium on Intellectual Property, Protection, and Enforcement (ISIPPE-2).

    The event, themed “Uniting Against Counterfeiting for a Healthy and Safe Future,” aimed at fostering collaboration and innovation in intellectual property (IP) protection, raising awareness about the dangers of counterfeit products, and highlighting the importance of safeguarding IP rights for economic growth and public safety.

    Graced by the Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Investments, Trade, and Industry, Ms. Rebecca Miano, the event brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, and industry leaders to discuss the critical role of IP protection in ensuring consumer safety and fostering innovation.
    In her opening address, CS Miano emphasized the importance of robust IP frameworks in safeguarding consumers from counterfeit products and promoting a healthy, competitive market.

    “Consumer safety is paramount, and strong intellectual property enforcement is essential to protect the public from the dangers of counterfeit goods. This forum underscores our commitment to fostering innovation while ensuring the safety and well-being of consumers globally,” said Ms. Miano.

    The Principal Secretary, State Department of Industry, Dr. Juma Mukhwana, highlighted the government’s collaboration with WIPO and leading government agencies in formulating a comprehensive national IP policy and strategy to support innovation and competitiveness. “We have a draft National Intellectual Property Policy and Strategy (NIPPS) which lays the groundwork for Kenya’s national IP policy and strategy for the period 2023-2027,” said Dr. Mukhwana.

    Hon. Josephat Kabeabea, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, reiterated the Authority’s commitment to supporting the government’s vision of industrial development and economic growth. “Our mission is to create an environment where innovation thrives, driving sustainable growth and ensuring that our SMEs and innovative enterprises can thrive in a secure and supportive environment,” said Kabeabea.
    Dr. Robi Mbugua Njoroge, Executive Director of the ACA, emphasized the importance of the symposium, stating, “ISIPPE-2 is a crucial platform for uniting efforts against the global menace of counterfeiting. By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise, we can create effective solutions to protect intellectual property, which is vital for innovation, economic growth, and public health.”

    As part of efforts to tighten controls against intellectual property contraventions and provide redress mechanisms for aggrieved parties, the forum saw the launch of the ACA Integrated Information Management System (AIMS) for this purpose. The system allows owners or holders of intellectual property rights to record their products with the ACA as a safeguarding measure against potential infringements or to provide pathways for protection in case of violations.

    “This is an important step towards not only upholding the intellectual property rights and commercial interests, but also in positioning our country as competitive environment for doing business. Let me take this opportunity to thank out funders, namely, the UK and Danish development agencies, for supporting the development of this system,” TradeMark Africa Country Director, Ahmed Farah, remarked.
    The system also has an Enforcement and Case Management component, which allows for anonymous reporting, investigation, inventory management and prosecution of intellectual property infringers.

    The forum included panel discussions with representatives from the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), the Japan Intellectual Property Office, and leading multinational corporations. Participants explored collaborative strategies to enhance IP enforcement, share best practices, and address emerging challenges such as the rise in online counterfeiting in this digital age.

     

  • INTERNATIONAL FLORICULTURE TRADE EXPO (IFTEX) KICKS OFF IN NAIROBI

    During the IFTEX Exhibition tour

    Kenya is hosting the global flower fraternity in Nairobi.The top flower trade show, International Floriculture Trade Expo (IFTEX), opened June 4, 2024, at Visha Oshwal Centre, Parklands.

    The occassion was graced by Dr. Idris Dogota, Principal Secretary, State Department for Cabinet Affairs. Present were also various stakeholders like; IFTEX, Kenya Flower Council (KFC) , Horticulture Crops Directorate ( HCD-AFA), Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service ( Kephis), Imani Flowers and other various Flower Industry Exhibitors.

    “The theme for the Expo is “Supporting Sustainable Floriculture in Kenya” As you are aware we are ranked top 4 in flower production, thanks to Kenyan farmers.
    The industry has employed kenyans directly and indirectly impacting more than 4 million kenyans.” Said PS, State Department for Cabinet Affairs Dr. Idris Dogota.

    Christine Chisaro Acting Director Horticulture who was present also observed that, the Horticultural industry contributes alot in the economy. Among the key Markets include the European Union, Asia and other UAE Kazakistan regions.
    Kenya majorly exports Cat flowers. However Climate change, Stringent Markets are among the challenges affecting the floriculuture.

    During the Expo Opening we met with Imani flower Managing Director Roy Gachoki who noted that, the company started as a family business and it was begun by her late mother in 2011.

    Sitting on 25 hectares of production, different varieties of summer flowers. And as the name states, faith, Imani is faith. And through faith we’ve gotten to where we are. Stride after stride, mistake after mistake. Doing business is not easy and doing business in Kenya is especially not easy. You have to have a thick skin.

    We’re members of the cooperative in Holland called Royal Flora Holland through which we also auction our flowers. And we also have direct markets in different regions in the Middle East, Australia and Japan.

    The dollar fluctuations, the currency fluctuations have affected business, makes things a bit unpredictable, a lot, very unpredictable actually to be honest with you. And then, doing business in Kenya is hard because again, unpredictability. The government is constantly changing policies. Like now we have the new finance bill that’s introducing a raft of proposals that are going to affect business.

    This is a business with small margins. The more they take, the more we’re losing and the more businesses will close down. That’s a fact. Recently they’ve introduced a new charge on every consignment. That means, the charge is $10 called UCR. This charge will affect small growers.

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Brussels air returns to Kenya after a nine-year absence

    Brussels air returns to Kenya after a nine-year absence

    (L-R) Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, Brussels Airlines and KTB Board Member David Tanki during the reception of Brussels Air. Looking on is KAA Chairman, Hon. Caleb Kositanyi.
    (L-R) Dorothea von Boxberg, CEO, of Brussels Airlines, and KTB Board Member David Tanki during the reception of Brussels Air. Looking on is KAA Chairman, Hon. Caleb Kositanyi.

    Brussels Airlines, Belgium’s flag carrier and the largest airline in Belgium, has resumed flights into Nairobi, Kenya, after a nine-year hiatus.

    The airline, a member of the Lufthansa Group and Star Alliance, touched down at the Kenyatta International Airport on Monday night with 288 travelers, enhancing connectivity between Kenya and Belgium. This marked the first time the airline landed in Kenya after having served the Nairobi route between 2002 and 2015.

    Speaking during the reception of the airline, David Tanki, who represented the Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Board of Directors, said that the resumption of flights to Nairobi by Air Brussels was a positive development for tourism as Kenya aims to become a year-round destination known for its diverse and sustainable tourism offerings. He added that the resumption shows that Belgian and European travelers still have an appetite for Kenya as a destination.

    “The year-round service we shall now receive from Airlines Brussels is a significant development for the destination that will boost arrivals throughout all the seasons. This comes as we continue to see interest from other airlines from Europe and other continents in Kenya. We are pleased to see this airline come back to Kenya after a long absence, and we hope that it will inspire more people to be inspired by the beauty of magical Kenya,” said Tanki.

    Mr. Tanki also exuded optimism about the future growth of the sector, noting that travelers from the larger European continent will play a big role in the full turn-around of the sector.

    “Europe is a key source market for Kenya’s tourism, ranking second with a 29% market share and contributing 572,352 arrivals last year. In 2023, the number of arrivals from Belgium reached 12,960, up from 9,981 in 2022, indicating a growing recognition of Kenya as a desirable destination within Belgian tourism. The entry of Brussels Airlines is particularly timely, as we expect to increase Belgian arrivals into Kenya and further strengthen our numbers,” he said.

    The resumption of Air Brussels flights to Nairobi will now bring the number of airlines’ destinations in Sub-Saharan Africa to 18. Kenya is the second largest market by frequency, with 5 weekly flights by Lufthansa, 6 flights by Euro Wings discovering the coast, and now 6 flights into Nairobi by Air Brussels. The service will boost passenger transfers for the diverse Belgian travel sector, which includes charter services, business travel and MICE specialists, online travel agencies, and retail travel agents.

    Brussels Airlines Chief Executive Officer Dorothea von Boxberg says, “We see a very high interest in our home market, Belgium, to explore Kenya. Our first flights to Nairobi are full. Nairobi is a vibrant city and the perfect gateway for an unforgettable trip to Kenya. The other way around we offer connections to Europe and beyond via Brussels to let Kenyans explore the world, study, or grow their businesses.”. She said.

    Ms. Von Boxberg added that the airline was working on ways to have more flights going based on the increased demand for business and leisure travel, among others, as well as a positive market reaction.

    According to data from Statbel, the third quarter of 2023 saw 6.92 million trips by Belgians abroad, marking an increase of 3.8%, compared to the same period in 2022. However, international travel numbers have yet to reach the peak of 2019, when 7.15 million trips were recorded during the summer. The preference for overseas travel remains high, with 64% of Belgians likely to travel abroad for leisure in the next 12 months. Cost and affordability are crucial factors for 34% of Belgians when planning international trips.

    The travel preferences of Belgian travelers include eco-friendly travel experiences, priority for sustainable and responsible tourism practices, value for authenticity, environmental consciousness, and a sense of community engagement, among others.

  • Quitting Cigarettes is Primary Motive of Vape and Pouch Users, Survey Show

    Most Kenyans who use vapes or nicotine pouches do so for health-related reasons, primarily to quit smoking deadly cigarettes, according to a major new survey unveiled on World No Tobacco Day.

    If these safer alternatives were banned, almost half of users say they would go back to cigarettes and some would even end up smoking more often, the poll reveals.

    Almost nine out of 10 believe that the Ministry of Health’s proposed graphic health warnings for vapes and pouches are misleading and will deter smokers from switching to safer alternatives, it concludes.

    “These results show that vapes and nicotine pouches offer smokers their most effective escape route away from the cigarettes that will otherwise kill them,” said Joseph Magero, chairman of the Campaign for Safer Alternatives (CASA), which conducted the survey.

    “To restrict access to these products would deny smokers their best chance of quitting and would unnecessarily condemn them to premature death or disease. Instead of trying to scare smokers from switching to these safer alternatives, authorities should be trying to reduce the deadly toll of tobacco through evidence-based policymaking and risk-proportionate regulation.”

    More than 300 Kenyan adults were questioned for the survey. Key findings include:

    •  64% of respondents have quit cigarettes or reduced the amount they smoke as a result of using vapes or nicotine pouches.
    • Five out of six users of nicotine pouches or vapes believe that proposed graphic health warnings (GHWs) for these products are misleading and would deter smokers from switching away from deadly cigarettes.
    • 58% or respondents believe that pouches are the best tool for quitting cigarettes, ahead of vapes (28%), health warnings (5%) and sin taxes (3%).
    •  If vape or pouches were banned, less than one in four users intends to give them up.
    • Most believe they will be able to find the products on the black market, while almost half are likely to go back to smoking cigarettes if a ban was implemented.

    “The survey shows that users of vapes and pouches were SIX TIMES more successful at giving up cigarettes than those who tried to quit ‘cold turkey’,” Magero said. “There could not be a more powerful message on World No Tobacco Day: if we want to save people from cigarettes, we need to ensure that safer alternatives are accessible, acceptable and affordable to adult smokers.

    “The Ministry of Health must listen to the voice of smokers who are desperate to quit: for the millions of Kenyans who smoke, vapes and nicotine pouches offer a lifeline they never had before.”

    Campaign for Safer Alternatives is an international Pan-African non-governmental organisation dedicated to achieving 100% smoke-free environments in Africa. It is the unifying voice for consumer organisations advocating for tobacco harm reduction in Africa, promoting discussion and the exchange of information and potential actions to reduce exposure to tobacco-related harm.
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  • Kenya Sees Drop in Tobacco Use, But New Challenges Emerge

    By OMBOKI MONAYO

    As Kenyans weigh in on the 2024/25 Finance Bill, the National Taxpayers Association (NTA) is urging the government to raise taxes on tobacco products. The advocacy group argues that this will not only generate additional revenue but also discourage tobacco use, a major public health concern linked to thousands of deaths annually in Kenya.


    Consumption of cigarettes and related health complications including lung cancer, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), heart disease and hypertension has been found to kill at least an average of 9,000 Kenyans every year.


    According to John Thomi of the NTA, higher taxes protect the health pf Kenyans by making the products more expensive.
    ‘When tax is increased, the affordability of tobacco products decreases and even consumer choices are constrained because tobacco is a luxury or recreational product,” says Mr Thomi.


    Research carried out in Europe shows that a 10% increase in cigarette prices can lead to a 4-6% decrease in demand, particularly among low- and middle-income smokers. Data from Kenya itself shows a promising decline in tobacco use from 12% in 2014 to 9% in 2022, which the NTA partly attributes to previous tax hikes.


    The current tax structure sees filtered cigarettes taxed at Kes4,067 per 1,000 cigarettes (mille), with the NTA proposing an increase to Kes4,100. Similarly, taxes on unfiltered cigarettes would rise from Kes2,926 to Kes4,100 per mille. Mr Thomi emphasizes that higher taxes make tobacco products less affordable, effectively reducing consumer choice for these “luxury or recreational” goods.


    John Muchangi, a veteran health and science journalist, highlights the addictive nature of tobacco products, suggesting that pricing them out of reach remains the most effective way to control consumption. While supporting the increase in taxation, he dismisses arguments from the tobacco industry that high taxes will only encourage smuggling, stating that tackling smuggling is a separate enforcement issue.


    “Addiction transforms tobacco into a must-have product. Pricing it out of reach remains the most effective way to reduce and control its consumption,” he says. “Eliminating the flow of illicit tobacco products into the country is a law enforcement challenge that the government should squarely tackle,” adds the editor.


    Kenya’s journey towards tobacco control has not been smooth. The country ratified the World Health Organization’s Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) in 2005, but the implementation of tobacco control regulations faced legal battles, eventually being enacted in 2014. These regulations require graphic health warnings on packaging, designated smoking areas, and public health campaigns to raise awareness of the dangers of smoking.


    The FCTC explicitly prohibits tobacco industry involvement in tobacco control policymaking. However, there have been instances where the industry has lobbied and influenced key decision-makers, potentially weakening these policies. This was evident in 2004 when the tobacco industry attempted to dilute a proposed Tobacco Control Bill by renaming it and seeking influence on the tobacco control committee. Thankfully, public pressure exposed these efforts, leading to the passage of a comprehensive Tobacco Control Act in 2007.


    The NTA is concerned that the government’s proposed tax increases may not be enough. They argue that the industry can absorb small price hikes as overhead costs or by transferring them to other products. It proposes annual tax hikes of 10-15% to account for population growth and prevent the industry from comfortably mitigating the impact of the increases.


    A new challenge has emerged in the form of non-combustible tobacco products like vapes and flavored pouches, targeted towards young people. Speaking during a May 28, 2024 press briefing, Ms Mary Muthoni, who is the Principal Secretary in the Ministry of Health, acknowledged this growing concern and revealed that plans were underway to raise awareness about the dangers of these products alongside traditional cigarettes during World No Tobacco Day.


    “The rise of attractively packaged novel nicotine products like vapes and flavored pouches is attracting young people despite lacking evidence of being harmless alternatives. The Ministry of Health plans to use World No Tobacco Day to raise awareness of these dangers alongside traditional cigarettes,” said Ms Muthoni..

    NTA however feels that more can be done, beyond the glitzy and high-powered public service announcement on tobacco’s threat to human health. It is criticizing the “extremely low taxes” on these new products, with liquid nicotine taxed at a mere Kes70 per mille compared to the price of Kes1,500 per vape pen refill. They propose raising taxes on these products to Kes5-10 per pouch and including them in the new eco tax to account for their environmental impact.


    Mr Thomi concludes by emphasizing the urgency of action. He is warning that these “new generation products” can be a gateway to even more dangerous substances and urges swift measures to protect young Kenyans from addiction.
    “The success of our combined efforts as health advocates and public health experts to reduce tobacco use hinges on a multi-pronged approach that combines effective taxation with public health awareness campaigns to create a generation free from the dangers of tobacco use,” he asserts.

  • “Nyakera Advocates for Agricultural Reform and Economic Focus in High-Level Meetings”

    “Nyakera Advocates for Agricultural Reform and Economic Focus in High-Level Meetings”

    As the government embarks on a series of initiatives to improve the lives of Kenyans, the Chairman of KEMSA, Irungu Nyakera, met with KRA Commissioner General Humphrey Wattanga to discuss the tax implications on health products, technologies, and agriculture.

    Nyakera stated, “We agreed to follow up with specific proposals for consideration and action.” He emphasized the importance of agriculture, describing it as the backbone of Kenya’s economy: “The agricultural sector is the backbone of our economy, contributing approximately 33 percent of Kenya’s GDP and employing more than 40% of the total population and 70% of the rural population. Let’s protect our farmers and help them build sustainable livelihoods.”

    Nyakera also extended his discussions to Eliud N. Kinuthia, Chairperson of the National Police Service Commission, to address regional and national issues concerning farmers.

    Furthermore, Nyakera expressed gratitude towards the President for his recent announcement to write off KES 6 billion in coffee farmer debts and increase the coffee cherry fund by KES 2 billion. “This move will greatly support the ongoing coffee reforms, aimed at expanding cultivation acreage and enhancing farmer revenues. It will also help revitalize the coffee farming sector, which has been in decline for years.”

    Nyakera urged politicians from Mt. Kenya to focus on development agendas rather than political disputes. “I beseech politicians from Mt. Kenya to concentrate on agendas that directly impact the livelihoods of their constituents, rather than engaging in daily bickering and politicking. For now, let’s review the Finance Bill and its implications for the common man and bring relevant debates to the house.”

  • 22 Year-Old Fridah Ndinda wins Gold Award in the concluded Tujiamini Initiative Eastern Region.

    22 Year-Old Fridah Ndinda wins Gold Award in the concluded Tujiamini Initiative Eastern Region.

    Fridah Ndinda, a young female athlete currently scaling new heights in her budding running career is the Gold Winner in the ongoing Tujiamini Initiative, powered by SportPesa.

    Ndinda, the first female to win the Tujiamini Gold Award was unveiled in Machakos County and walks away with a Ksh 500,000 cash prize alongside other benefits such as training kits and mentorship in recognition and support of her talent towards becoming a top-flight athlete.

    Ndinda made headlines in international sports as the first Kenyan female to come second in the 10km Gqeberha marathon in South Africa in 2023. With ambitions to take the podium again in key races later in the year including the 10KM Nairobi City (Xpressway) Marathon, slated for July 7 th 2024, Ndinda already has her eyes set on participation in the Diamond League next year, intent on sealing a slot in the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028.

    Coming from a humble background, Ndinda was educated through well-wishers, a situation that she says is her biggest motivation. Her aim is to use sports as a stepping stone to uplift her family’s fortunes given the many challenges she has had to overcome in her life and athletics journey.

    However since being introduced to her current coach and mentor, William Korir, Ndinda has excelled against odds. Despite struggling with insufficient funding, lack of quality training gear, access to a gym or rubber tracks for speed work, she has triumphed in the races she has participated in, an indication of her determination to grow and rake in the medals.

    “Within the first four months of my training in the year 2022, I qualified for the National 5,000M Olympic trials where I finished eighth. A week later, I ran in the 10KM category in the Nairobi City Marathon in 2022 coming in third place. In July, I also took third place in the Durban 10KM road race and emerged ninth in the Single loop half marathon in October”, said Ndinda.

    Speaking at the event, SportPesa Representative Deborah Chepkirui, said the Tujiamini Initiative was particularly designed for young sportswomen and men in the grassroots with the intention to support and shine a light on promising but yet unknown careers such as Ndinda’s.

    “A lot of people at the grassroots are struggling because they lack the facilities to get to the top tier levels in their speciality areas. Tujiamini aims to change that by according them the necessary support to advance their sporting dreams,”she said.

    Ndinda’s coach, William Korir, expressed gratitude for the Tujiamini Initiative’s support saying it will go a long way in preparing Ndinda in her competitive races for the rest of the year where she aims to improve her best time and global ranking.

    Storm Trentham, the Director, DBA Africa, a sports management agency that has partnered with SportPesa in the Tujiamini Initiative noted that the programme aims to reach every young talent in the grassroots across the country intent on identifying and empowering the next crop of Kenya’s sporting stars.

    “In order to build talents to elite levels, we need to have academies and sporting programmes at the grassroots and that is where Tujiamini comes in. The initiative aims to achieve a big impact whether on an individual basis or within the local community by keeping individuals engaged in self development through their talents.” said

    Trentham who encouraged women to apply and nominate each other for the Tujiamini Initiative that now moves to the North Rift region.

  • ABSA bank Kenya in partnership to train 30,000 women entrepreneurs in the western region

    ABSA bank Kenya in partnership to train 30,000 women entrepreneurs in the western region

    Kakamega County First Lady Janet Barasa, President's Women Rights Advisor, Harriette Chiggai, Absa Business Banking Director Elizabeth Wasunna and Africa Guarantee Fund Head of Risk Joshua Obengele, during launch of a Women's Economic Empowerment and Investment Curriculum.
    Kakamega County First Lady Janet Barasa, President’s Women Rights Advisor Harriette Chiggai, Absa Business Banking Director Elizabeth Wasunna, and Africa Guarantee Fund Head of Risk Joshua Obengele, during the the launch of a Women’s Economic Empowerment and Investment Curriculum.

    Absa Bank Kenya, in partnership with the Executive Office of the President, through the offices of the Women’s Rights Advisor and Africa Guarantee Fund (AGF), has today launched a Women’s Economic Empowerment and Investment Curriculum dubbed the Empower Her County Program to empower at least 30,000 women-led micro, small, and medium-sized businesses across Kakamega, Bungoma, and Vihiga counties.

    This program seeks to address gender-based disparities and overcome economic challenges women entrepreneurs face to advance entrepreneurship by providing them with the tools and resources needed to upskill their businesses, promote resilience, and thrive in today’s competitive business environment. In addition, the curriculum will offer the ‘Start and Improve Our Business (SIYB) module, one of the largest global business management training programs developed by the International Labour Organization (ILO).

    Addressing the business community at the launch event held at Masinde Muliro University, the President’s Women Rights Advisor, Hon. Harriette Chiggai, said, “The launch of the Empower Her County Programme is a demonstration of the need to support women-led MSMEs. This is why my office is partnering with private-sector entities to curate programs that can reach women at the grassroots, and the main reason why His Excellency the President created the office of the Women’s Rights Advisor is to show his commitment to every Kenyan woman and girl.

    The program includes training on business registration, taxation, marketing, savings and investment, budgeting and financial planning, bookkeeping, digitization of businesses,  market linkages beyond counties, and cross-border training.

    On her part, Absa Bank Business Banking Director Elizabeth Wasunna-Ochwa said

    “Closing the gender gap through economic empowerment is key to achieving our Sustainable Development Goals as a nation. When more women are empowered to create wealth, economies grow. This program resonates with our corporate purpose to empower Africa’s tomorrow together, one story at a time, and is in line with our commitment to empowering over one million women entrepreneurs by 2025 by providing them with access to market information, markets for their products and services, coaching and mentorship, and business networks, as well as providing the capital required to scale their businesses to the next level.”

    According to a 2018 report by the International Labour Organization, nearly 60 percent of women’s employment globally is in the informal economy. In low-income countries, it is more than 90 percent. Women constitute over 60 percent of the 74 percent of Kenyans living in rural areas, where poverty levels remain high. The Women’s Empowerment Index 2020 by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics implies that the empowerment rate of women in urban areas is 40 percent, nearly double the rate of empowered women in rural areas, at 22 percent over the same year, signifying the need for empowerment of women, especially at the county level.

    This financial literacy program, which is set to be rolled out in all 47 counties, aims to increase economic participation and entrepreneurship among 70% of women and improve financial literacy and management skills for 90% of women, including increasing their knowledge and uptake of the available government and private sector funding.

  • Miano Highlights Strategies to Boost Local Production and Economic Growth under Buy Kenya Build Kenya Initiative

    According to Trade, Investment, and Industry Cabinet Secretary Rebecca Miano, the primary goals of Buy Kenya Build Kenya are to encourage the use of locally produced goods and services, generate jobs, and lessen dependency on imports.

    Miano said her ministry has therefore fast-tracked activities to ensure the initiative’s success, with these activities anchored on the already identified areas of the legal and regulatory framework to guide public procurement.

    The Cabinet Secretary said her ministry has also created an enabling business environment, market access for locally produced goods and services, advocacy, and the creation of an institutional framework that ensures sustainability.

    At least 40% of the Public Procurement Budget should be set aside for locally produced goods and services, according to the BK BK strategy, the Cabinet Secretary stated during her appearance before the Senate Trade Committee in the Parliament building.

    “The disciplined forces have been acquiring various leather and textile products from local manufacturers to achieve this goal. For example, during the January–June 2023 period, the disciplined forces acquired leather and textile products valued at roughly Sh. 1.1 billion,” stated Miano.

    According to the Cabinet Secretary, the Ministry has established a strong quality and regulatory framework through the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) that guarantees locally produced goods meet the established standards.

    According to Miano, the Industrial Property Act and the Trade Marks Act are being implemented and enforced by the Kenya Industrial Property Institute (KIPI) to protect and promote indigenous innovations, thereby augmenting the production of goods manufactured in Kenya.

    According to her, MSMIs can add value to locally made products by using common manufacturing facilities (CMF) provided by the Ministry through Kenya Industrial Research Development. With the help of CMFs, MSMIs can produce goods that are competitive in the local market.

    “The Ministry is continuously creating awareness about the BKBK initiative through media campaigns and engagement, e.g., conferences, trade fairs,” Miano stated. “The Ministry is enhancing the skills of local industrial entrepreneurs by implementing a variety of value-added capacity building programs.” The ministry is working with various stakeholders to implement these programs.

    The Cabinet Secretary told the committee that the leather sector is a priority value chain under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) with a potential of Sh 130 billion in revenue and 100,000 jobs.

    The government has adopted the value-chain approach for the revitalization of the leather sector, which aims to unlock opportunities by creating jobs and generating income. Miano stated that some of the major challenges facing the sector include low hide and skin recovery, low-quality hides & skins, and inadequate skills.

    According to the Cabinet Secretary, the current strategies being carried out with assistance from development partners and the private sector highlight the sector’s critical role in economic development, especially in the Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs).

    Miano said the Ministry is supporting the revitalization of the sector by promoting value-added initiatives in the leather value chain, With the support of the International Labour Organization, the Ministry has developed the Leather Sector Revitalization Concept Note.

    “The Concept Note outlines a comprehensive work plan and activities whose implementation is under discussion, this includes the establishment of Regional Common Manufacturing Facilities (CMFs) similar to Kariokor CMF to improve the productivity and competitiveness of MSMIs in the leather and leather products value chain. The Ministry is working with ILO to help map out potential leather clusters,” said Miano,

    She said the Ministry, in collaboration with the Kenya Bureau of Standards, has revised some of Kenya’s Leather Testing Standards and adopted the Applicable International Standards These Standards aim at addressing current market, regulatory, and scientific and technological development needs.

    The Cabinet Secretary said the Ministry, through the Numerical Machining Complex (NMC), has developed a prototype knife and de-hider to address the high cost of flying knives and de-hiders, which are currently being imported.

    Miano said that in the financial year 2023/2024, the ministry, through the EPZA, was allocated Sh 350 million for the development of Leather Industrial Park-Kenanie and Sh 50 million for the Leather Value Chain Promotion Programme for the training of leather value chain stakeholders.

    “The proposed establishment of 450 feedlot facilities in ASAL counties will further enhance the recovery and quality of hides and skins. A multi-sectoral technical feedlot committee coordinated by the Head of Public Service (HOPS) has tasked the State Department for Industry with the role of identifying value-added initiatives,” said Miano.

    According to the Cabinet Secretary, the Ministry is working with Counties and Development Partners to construct County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across the country. The Parks function as centers for the storage and value-adding of agricultural products.

    Agro-processing units, value-adding units, and warehouses are some of these facilities. To improve the processing of food and cash crops such as tea, coffee, sugarcane, nuts, cereals, vegetables, fruits, dairy, meat, honey, and fish, the Ministry will work with TVETs, KIRDI, county governments, and other important stakeholders.