The Kenya a National Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KNCCI) is a membership-based organization with the core mandate to protect and develop the interests of the business community. In order to fulfill its mandate this morning KNCCI held a members and stakeholders consultative roundtable meeting under the theme: ‘Enhancing economic transformation through partnerships and collaborations’ at the Hilton Hotel Nairobi.

KNCCI Chief Operating Officer Mr. Patrick Nyangweso being the Master of Ceremony at the meeting appreciated all the members for being present and called upon KNCCI- Nairobi Chapter Mr. Julius Opio who in his welcoming remarks appreciated all the business persons for being present and urged all of them to ensure that their membership status was up to date so that they could benefit from the numerous opportunities that KNCCI has to offer to its members.

The Chamber President Mr. Richard Ngatia in his speech appreciated BAT Kenya for being the main sponsors towards the forum. He appealed to all members present to take advantage and network amongst each other to grow their businesses to the next level. He appreciated the Chief Guest, Hon CS Mutahi Kagwe for taking time to grace the business occasion. He acknowledged and appreciated the partnership between KNCCI and the Ministry of Health (MoH) on the production of reusable masks granted to over 300 MSMEs across all the 47 counties to promote local production and business sustainability.

Mr. Ngatia appreciated all members drawn from all the different membership categories and sectors for the continued support and partnership in KNCCI’s programmes and activities.

He concluded by giving KNCCI’s commitment to advocate and to promote a sustainable business environment for enterprise growth and economic prosperity. KNCCI is also committed to establishing a rapport with all members, to understand their needs, emerging issues and come up with viable solutions to enhance business growth.

The Cabinet Secretary for Health, Hon. Mutahi Kagwe, EGH who was the chief Guest began by appreciating Mr. Richard Ngatia for his immense leadership skills that have taken KNCCI to a notch higher through an upsurge of partnerships; Between 2020 and 2021, KNCCI conducted a programme with the Ministry of Health through KEMSA to support the development and manufacturing of 7.5 million  PPEs as an incentive to promote local manufacturers and producers of fabric. He also appreciated the immediate former Chamber President Mr. Kiprono Kittony for setting a winning pace.

Hon. Mutahi noted the women inclusion in KNCCI through the Women In Business committee led by Ms. Nancy Muthoni that has enabled various women in leadership and business gain from the various products for women.

He Congratulated all the members present for their subscription with KNCCI and acknowledged the role of Chambers of Commerce all over the world in fostering international trade and protect open markets for goods and services and the free flow of capital. He encouraged all the members to focus on networking which in most cases brews long term partnerships.

The Ministry of Health is working closely with the business community and for the first time in history the government is purchasing ARVs locally through Universal Corporation limited which is a member of KNCCI. The Ministry has also partnered with foreign investors such as Moderna which will be setting up in Kenya being site of Moderna’s first messenger RNA vaccine manufacturing facility in Africa.

He concluded by asking all participants to ensure that they get the Covid-19 jabs and also to pray for peaceful elections, greater opportunities and business stability.

CEO and Managing Director UBA Bank Mr. Chike Isiuwe who was the key guest during the forum appreciated both KNCCI HQ and KNCCI- Mombasa County for the support that they have granted since they subscribed to KNCCI membership.

He took the participants through the various products offered by UBA bank majorly the digital banking that allows you to securely and conveniently access your bank account information and do banking transactions via their website and your mobile phone.​

There was also a plenary session which was lead by the KNCCI Membership Director Mr. Stephen Mbugua.The panelists were drawn from different sectors and companies namely;

  • Benjamin Kimani , Muthokinju Hardware Limited representing the construction sector.

Muthokinju Hardware Limited are wholesalers of cement, paints, adhesives and decorating sundries. Our decorative range consists of products that are used within all residential houses, factories, office and public building for the purpose of decoration and protection.

  • Mary Matu, Angelica Medical Supplies Limited representing the healthcare sector

Angelica  Medical Supplies Limited is a  Kenyan company focusing on the sales and distribution of Medical and Hospital Equipment,

  • Sophia Odupoy, Koko Networks Limited representing the energy sector

KOKO is an international technology company with a difference in clean ethanol cooking fuel and cooking products.

  • Nick Ngahu , Meat and Livestock Exporters Industry Council of Kenya representing the Meat and Livestock Sector.

Meat and Livestock Exporters’ Industry Council of Kenya (KEMLEIC) aims at enhancing the country’s livestock sector.

The Vice Chairperson Women In Business Committee Ms. Nancy Muthoni who was moderating the plenary session urged all participants who were present to take advantage of the opportunities presented by KNCCI.

KNCCI Special Programs Manager Ms. Nemaisa Kiereini sensitized the participants on the upcoming app isoko in collaboration with Trade Mark East Africa Ltd that will act as a marketplace.

The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (KEPROBA) participated in the forum where they presented on the Exporters portal. KEPROBA’s exporters portal is to address the following:

  • Provide a platform where exporters/sellers can showcase their products internationally
  • Provide customized market intelligence information to related to potential exporters for purposes of improving products to enable compete
  • To promote Kenya’s exports and the nation brand through information dissemination and export assistance
  • To inform, educate and inspire our internal and external audiences about Kenya and what it has to offer globally in order to influence trade, investments and positive national perspective.

You can access the portal here for more information: https://makeitkenya.go.ke

KNCCI Business Development Manager Ms. Virginia Waruingi concluded the forum by informing the participants about various events that will take place in the 3rd quarter and 4th quarter that would be beneficial to their business namely; inbound and outbound trade mission to Egypt and a trade mission to DRC.

The Chamber President challenged the members to meet after four months to gauge the productivity or results from the networking session.

KNCCI appreciates all the members for the continues support lets ‘grow our business together ‘