The Senate Standing Committee on Trade, Industrialization and Tourism has promised to engage the leadership of the the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) on ways they can improve trade and investments in the counties.

At a meeting between the two, the Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Lenku ole Kanar Seki, promised to involve KNCCI in deliberations concerning the National and County business and economic outlook.

The committee had invited the business lobby group to learn how the private sector business growth perspectives, export competitiveness within regional and global markets and the interventions required from the Senate to achieve sustainable enterprise growth in the counties. The committee also wanted to know areas of cooperation and collaboration to further the role of the Senate as per Article 96 of the constitution.

During the meeting, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto briefed the Committee on the intervention required from the Senate to spur enterprises growth in the Counties. He urged the Senators to develop legislations to aid in elimination of non- tariff barriers which has become an impediment to doing business in the counties such as boarder delays, among others. Further, legislation should be developed on fair trade practices, payment of pending bills, double taxation – current limited to KTA only.

The Business lobby also wants the Warehouse Receipt systems operationalized as well as the Credit Guarantee Scheme. It also wants Mentorship programs and startup grants provided, and tax incentives offered to businesses that hire young people and women and have one license instead of multiple licensing.

The Chamber plans to carry out Targeted Economic diplomacy missions to identify traditional, frontier and emerging markets for Kenyan products through market intelligence.

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Investment is looking forward to County Based round tables meetings with private sector and to encourage regional blocs. He also emphasized that the One County One Product initiative will enhance aggregation and increase exports. 

Sen. Esther Okenyuri- the Vice Chairperson, Sen. Dr. Lelegwe Ltumbesi, Sen. Okiya Omtatah were physically present in the meeting while Sen. Betty Montet and Sen. Crystal Asige joined the meeting online.