The Speaker of Senate Rt.Hon Amason Kingi,EGH has said the Senate places great premium on engagements with stakeholders because the outcome greatly shapes legislative interventions and action taken by the House in line with its constitutional mandate.

The Speaker noted that the Senate has continued to avail a critical linkage between government and the business community by providing a legislative framework to guide operations of County Governments.

Speaker Kingi said a vibrant and flourishing private sector is essential to achieving Vision 2030, which is the government's integrated development plan.

"The ultimate success of Vision 2030 is premised on how effective the private sector plays its role in achieving the country's objectives, thereby creating wealth and employment opportunities," said the Speaker.

Mr Kingi was speaking on Friday during the official opening of the 7th Senate Liaison Committee Roundtable with Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).

"The world is fast evolving. There is need for constant adaptation of legislative framework which calls for continuous review of policy and legislative environment in the country."he added

He advised the two sides to identify legislations crucial to private sector growth which need to be reviewed, fast tracked and address any gaps.

The event marked the inaugural forum with the 4th Senate of the 13th parliament, an event which continues to gain prominence as a high level public-private dialogue between business community and Senate.

The partnership has over the years grown to be an avenue for advancing and promoting the growth of private enterprises by creating platforms for voicing emerging concerns, challenges and sharing opportunities the sector has grappled with.

The theme of this year's meeting is; Achieving Global Competitiveness for Economic Turnaround and Inclusive Prosperity by 2027.

Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi said the Senate is well placed to lead a multi-stakeholder approach aimed at achieving the bottom up Economic model, for sustainable growth.

"The Senate must enact and implement policies geared towards the realisation of key pillars of the bottom up agenda," said Senator Murungi.

Senate Clerk Jeremiah Nyegenye,CBS hailed the Roundtable meetings noting that the House appreciates the complementary contribution played by Kepsa towards fulfilling the mandate of the Senate.

"The meetings provide a platform for KEPSA and Senate to engage in open and constructive dialogue that assists in identifying areas where the private sector can contribute to development" said the Clerk, who is also the Secretary of the Parliamentary Service Commission.

He cited the County Vocational Education and Training Bill, Tea (Amendment) Bill, Prompt Payment Bill, Start Up Bill and Persons with Disabilities Bill as some of the initiatives by Senate to achieve inclusive growth.

The chairperson of KEPSA Ms.Flora Mutahi challenged the Senate to work closely with the private sector to spruce up Kenya's global Competitiveness.

"It has been projected that the cost of doing business in Kenya is between 15 per cent to 20 per cent higher than Egypt," Ms Mutahi, pointing out that value addition of Kenya produce can only happen if the country is competitive.

She cited complexity in tax regime, weak access to finance, bureaucracy in public service and political instability as some of the issues that has made Kenya globally uncompetitive.