The partnership will seek to;

• Support National Insurance intake in the Country
• Collaborate in advocacy issues in terms of cost of medication
• Develop a Pharmaceutical Industrial programs and Medical Tourism
• Introduce the innovative products that will target SMEs in the insurance sector to promote business survival.
• Form a Joint Business Venture with Chamber to support insurance sector to manage enterprise sector.

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The MoU, among other things, seeks to provide interventions that will cushion the population against floods, food shortages and interruption of essential services by the COVID- 19 Pandemic.

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Speaking during the signing ceremony, Chamber President Richard Ngatia said, “The agreement will provide a platform to support and strengthen trade and investment programmes across the counties”.

He further went on to say, “This is an opportunity for KNCCI County Chapters and County Governments to access precise and accurate information to promote business partnerships, understand business procedures and the applicable laws in the counties,” he said.

In his remarks COG Chairman, H.E Honorable Wycliffe Oparanya expressed his delight with the engagement of the KNCCI county chambers in support of business amidst COVID-19. He went on to say, “With the capacity within KNCCI we can work together address to develop a harmonized taxation regime.” “COG will continue to collaborate with KNCCI to revive all those SMEs affected by this pandemic as we are about to re-open our economy,” he said.

During the meeting H.E. Hon. Wycliffe Oparanya appointed the Chamber President, Richard Ngatia as the Special Business Advisor to the COG on matters Trade and Investment, to ensure tax harmonization within the counties creating an enabling environment for SMEs post COVID-19.

The agreement will also see the Chamber get precise and accurate information to promote business partnerships, understand methods and procedures for doing business in the counties and the prevailing laws and regulations and the most important investments opportunities.

It will also seek to support and take joint activities in trade and investment, business policy reforms, capacity building, information sharing, joint technical programmes and activities among others.

The Chamber first signed an MoU with the Council of Governors in 2015 with significant achievements and milestone in the undertakings such as: carrying out Joint Investment and Trade Conferences in almost 16  Counties; Jointly conducted business forums in 38 Counties, jointly participated as a key partner and stakeholder in the County Devolution Conferences and also Implemented key policy, advocacy and business reforms programme in the counties.

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The ripple effect of COVID-19 on economic activities, livelihoods and food security in East Africa and the Great Lakes. Governments throughout the region moved swiftly to adopt far-reaching measures to limit the spread of COVID-19, including the closure of international borders, movement restrictions, curfews and lockdowns.

While these measures appear to have curbed the pandemic’s progression, its negative repercussions have led to a near-total halt to air transport, tourism, agriculture and other extractive industry activities.

To discuss the impact of Covid-19 in Africa and the future of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) in partnership with the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA), East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture, the Great Lakes Region Private Sector Forum organized a webinar session to discuss and identify opportunities for Covid-19 recovery mechanism and way forward for AfCFTA trade and integration.

To help consolidate the highlights KNCCI together with the fore mentioned partners brought on board panelist representatives from: Secretary General of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry Ms. Olive Kigongo; Chairman of the East Africa Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Agriculture Mr. Kahotho; Director UNECA- Regional Integration and Trade Division, Mr. Stephen Karingi, PhD; Director, UNECA- ECA Sub-Regional Office for East Africa, Mama Keita, Senior Trade Advisor Ministry of Trade ,Mr. George DInda

Topics Discussed.

• Opportunities that AfCFTA presents
• Impact of Covid-19 on trade Facilitation and Performance in Africa
• Mechanism put in place to support regional markets and supply chain stabilization in the post Covid-19
• Possible Economic Stimulus and Fiscal measures taken to cushion businesses
• Critical economic sectors that needs priority in the Covid-19 recovery process
• Impact of Covid-19 on the EAC businesses and the Government Responses
• Post Covid-19 economic recovery measures that needs to be implemented to support private sector to contribute to the AfCFTA and Trade Integration Agenda

1. Opportunities that AfCFTA presents

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Agreement presents Africa with a unique opportunity to unleash its economic potential for inclusive growth and sustainable development.  It aims to promote agricultural transformation and growth in Africa and contribute to food security, as well as improve competitiveness through regional agricultural value chains development and incentivize critical investments in production and marketing infrastructure.

In his opening remarks, the UNECA Regional Director, Integration and Trade Division, Dr. Stephen Karingi stated that that AfCFTA has the potential to deepen not only the regional integration of the continent but also has allowed the African countries to do more of value addition in the production processes. According to UNECA, it is estimated that by 2020, AfCFTA will increase significantly and that two-thirds of this increase would be on value addition.

Dr. Karingi, said the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) could help mitigate effects of COVID-19, especially on pharmaceuticals and food stuffs.

“A rapid and ambitious implementation of the AfCFTA will go a long way in hastening the recovery from COVID-19 impacts, while cushioning Africa against future adverse effects of shocks such as this,” said Dr. Karingi.

Africa spends billions on drugs annually and depends heavily on China and other countries in Europe and Asia for its pharmaceutical supply, some of which are badly affected by the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Karingi said African countries could start manufacturing the drugs themselves, which would not only be cheaper, but would also help secure the quality and safety of supply; and contribute to financial sustainability as import bills are increasing across the continent.

AfCFTA had agreed on five priority services – financial services, communication, transport, tourism and business services – and will engage in the negotiations through a request and offer process to make specific sector commitments. Due to Covid-19 the member’s states are now re negotiating to add services such as E-commerce, Health and Digital Education.

In the ensuing discussion, the EACCIA Chairman, Mr. Kahotho echoed that critical role KNCCI has to play for the successful implementation of the AfCFTA agenda. Mandated to facilitate trade, KNCCI must see that during this time of the pandemic, trade must be facilitated so that jobs can be created and also to see that we add value to our natural resources.

2. Possible Economic Stimulus and Fiscal measures taken to cushion businesses

The UNECA – ECA Sub – Regional Office for East Africa, Mama Keita stated that the Covid -19 crisis has shown the role that the state must play in the development process in the respective countries. Most countries are now rising to the challenge and cushioning businesses through the following measures:

• A liquidity be made available to the private sector to ensure the continuity of essential purchases and all SMEs that are dependent on trade can continue to function.
• Emergency economic stimulus.
• Waiver of all interest payments
• Flexibility in taxation
• Payments of areas to private sectors
• And Government provision of guarantors to SMEs
• Subsidies

3. Critical economic sectors that needs priority in the Covid-19 recovery process

• Health
• Tourism
• Logistics
• Constructions
• Domestic markets
• Agriculture

4. Mechanism put in place to support regional markets and supply chain stabilization in the post Covid-19

According to the Ugandan Chamber of Commerce and Industry Secretary General, Ms. Brenda, Uganda Has put the following measures;

• Support to domestic markets and encouragement of consumption of domestic goods
• Allowing movement of essential goods and services by not restricting the logistic industry
• Ensuring that there are adequate storage facilities to cushion spoilage of perishable goods
• Encouraging value addition to the agricultural sector products

5. Impact of Covid-19 on the EAC businesses and the Government Responses

• Inadequate access to sourcing raw materials
• Facing cross border restrictions
• Decline of Export market
• Decline in sales

6. Post Covid-19 economic recovery measures that needs to be implemented to support private sector to contribute to the AfCFTA and Trade Integration Agenda.

• Consumption of local products
• Securing the demand and supply for locally produced goods
• Support innovation, manufacturing
• African Countries should trade amongst themselves
• There must be access to liquidity and new financial means in the future
• Deepen and strengthen the African financial markets
• Resource mobilization
• Ensuring competitiveness amongst African countries
• Deepening regional value chain

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The meeting was held to discuss the following:

Collaborative support on relief, both health and economic targeting vulnerable populations and SMEs with greater focus on post Covid-19

• Roll out Interventions that will cushion population against the current floods, food shortage and interruption of normal essential services by the Covid-19 Pandemic
• Support public health education, preparedness and measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19
• Strengthening the capacity of businesses on continuity and survival of SMEs
• Improve food nutrition security, and improve the quality of natural resources and ecosystem services amongst others.

The delegation agreed to engage further and to commit on the level of implementation of the MoU in the next 3 years in order to deliver on its expected outcome.

They expressed satisfaction over the MoU scope of cooperation and implementation matrix.

They agreed to consider expediting the finalization of this MoU, expressing gratitude to KNCCI and HRI for offering its consent in this regard.

The meeting agreed to endeavor to revert by Monday 18th May 2020 on the process of internal consultations by respective organizations based on the discussions of the meeting.

The meeting was grace by Hon. Abdul Bahari Ali, Chief Administrative Secretary, Ministry of Devolution and ASAL.

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As a follow up, the two entities today 13th May 2020 held a consultative meeting to discuss and align on how to leverage synergies.

Attending the inception meeting were the bank’s Chief Commercial Officer Polycarp Igathe, KNCCI President Mr. Richard Ngatia, KNCCI CEO Ms. Angela Ndambuki, Rose Mwaura, Chairperson KNCCI legal and Regulatory Committee and Chairman –ICPAK and Mr. Sam Omukoko, the Group Managing Director and CEO Metropol Corporation.

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According to a joint statement released last week by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and the Kenya National Federation of Jua Kali Associations (KNFJKA), the startups will leverage on a new government initiative to boost their productivity as part of a post-Covid-19 economic recovery plan.

Last month, President Uhuru Kenyatta announced that the Government will engage Medium and small enterprises (MSEs) in the manufacture of basic medical equipment.

The equipment will be supplied to local hospitals and will also be exported. KNFJKA Chief Executive Richard Muteti asked his lobby members to liaise with county chamber offices to enable them participate in the tender bidding process.

Mr Muteti also asked KNFJKA members to liaise with county governments on how they can obtain interest free State loans.

Richard Ngatia, the KNCCI president, agreed that it is time Jua Kali artisans were allowed to play an important role in the country’s manufacturing sector.

“This is an opportunity to enhance the Jua Kali sector,” said Mr Ngatia.

Uhuru late last month said some Sh1.5 billion would be used in an initiative to help local startups participate in the boosting of healthcare.

The Jua Kali sector, the president said, would take centre stage in the production of medical equipment.

Muteti noted that as Covid-19 continues to ravage the country and the rest of the world, the Jua Kali sector has been on the forefront in coming up with innovations that are sealing gaps in the local medical supply chain.

“The Jua Kali sector in Kenya is currently making every effort to be part of a solution to the current pandemic,” said Muteti.

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H.E Governor Mutahi Kahiga has reiterated that a multi-sectoral committee has already been formed which draws stakeholders from the county government, national government through the office of the county commissioner, Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), Red Cross, Kenya Secondary School Heads Association (KESSHA), Nyeri Business Owners Association and the Nyeri Asian Community which will aid in raising funds for mitigation of the effects of COVID-19.

Governor Kahiga called upon people of goodwill to join in and channel their donations through the Paybill: 400222 Account name: 562706# YOUR NAME or through Cooperative Bank Account number: 01141991686400. For purposes of accountability, this account has different signatories drawn from the partners mentioned above.

While at it, he appreciated the efforts of Mt. Kenya Academy who have so far donated Ksh. 200,000, Cooperative Bank who have donated Ksh. 300,000, KESSHA who donated 22 reusable PPEs worth Ksh. 100,000 and philanthropic businessman Bipin Shah (Kasturi) who together with the Asian Community has been providing foodstuffs twice a week for 125 needy families.

Governor Kahiga also revealed that 30% of his salary, 10% of CECs, and 5% of other senior employees’ salaries will be channeled to the COVID-19 kitty.

KNCCI, Nyeri chapter Chair Ibrahim Ndegwa called upon all to join synergies to fight the pandemic and urged leaders not to politicize the efforts being put up to curb the disease.

Over 200,000 residents in Nyeri County are at risk of starvation during this time of coronavirus. The funds will go a long way in mitigating the effects of the COVID-19.

Also present during the launch were County Secretary Ben Gachichio, Chief of staff Paul Wambugu, Youth, Gender and Social Services CEC Esther Ndung’u,  Health CEC Dr. Rachel Kamau,Water CEC Fredrick Kinyua, Agriculture CEC James Wachihi and Trade CEC Diana Kendi.

Also present were KESSHA Nyeri chapter chairman Cyrus Wachira with a team from KESSHA, Red Cross Nyeri county coordinator Peris Wanjiku, Nyeri Business Owners Association Secretary General Daniel Macharia, Nyeri Central Deputy County Commissioner Joseph Mwangi, KNCCI Nyeri Chapter CEO Martin Ndirangu, Gikondi MCA Hon. Mary Wamuyu among other team members representing the aforementioned entities.

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The exercise follows calls by the National Government to Kenyans to minimize movement and avoid crowded places as part of the measures to check the spread of Covid-19 in the Country – a fact Governor Wangamati noted had affected businesses and livelihoods of residents.

“As a result of some of the measures in place to check the spread of Coronavirus, businesses and other sources of income in the County have suffered a great deal – exposing our people to the real danger of starvation, especially if we do not get to the end of this pandemic soon enough,” Governor Wangamati said.

“As a Government, we are working in collaboration with the Red Cross, the National Chamber of Commerce and the National Government to provide food support to some of the vulnerable households across the County,” he added.

According to Governor Wangamati, the first phase of this plan will see some 6,000 households receive a food pack estimated to last them a month.

“Today, we are flagging off the distribution of food subsidies donated by the Bungoma County Business Community to some 500 households of the 6,000 households,” he said.

Each of the 500 households will receive 20kgs of flour, 2litres of cooking oil, 2kgs of rice, 2kgs of sugar, 1 bar soap and I litre of sanitiser.

By Governor Wangamati’s own account, the County has planned to distribute food aid to an estimated 120,000 vulnerable households in the County in the second phase.

The process of identifying vulnerable households, still an ongoing exercise, is being undertaken by the Red Cross, the County Government and National Government.

Today’s distribution targeted informal settlements in Bungoma town, Webuye, Kimilili, Chwele and Kapsokwony in Mt Elgon.

The Governor said next week, the County will be flagging yet another consignment of food aid to cover all the wards of the County.

He called on well-wishers to step in and help contribute towards saving vulnerable residents.

He said the County will receive donations in kind while all moneys shall be channeled through a committee chaired by the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce to:

#ACC NO: 01141425861800

#PAYBILL: 400200

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The County Government of Nyeri through the Department of Gender, Youth and Social Services has partnered with the National Government to ensure that 100 street children within Nyeri town are accommodated at Thunguma Children’s Home and Rehabilitation Centre. The street children while being rehabilitated will acquire knowledge and skills at the centre which will serve them in the future.

KNCCI Nyeri branch Chairman Ibrahim Ndegwa said this will remove the children from the dangers of the streets which include the COVID-19 pandemic.

This initiative is one of the measures taken to shield the possible COVID-19 risk areas identified by the County Emergency Response Committee co-chaired by the Governor H.E Mutahi Kahiga and the County Commissioner Loyford Kibara one of them being the street children who if uncatered for, are left exposed.

Mr Ibrahims Ndegwa who was accompanied by branch county director Isaac Gichohi Mwangi and philanthropic businessman Bipin Shah also appealed to the Nyeri business community to come up and raise funds to help vulnerable people in the county during this time of coronavirus pandemic.

Nyeri County Secretary Ben Gachichio and Youth CEC Esther Ndung’u who received the donation thanked the branch for their kind donation saying it will go a long way in improving the lives of the street kids who have been suffering in town.

CEC Ndung’u said this will be a continuous process to ensure the children are protected and have as many chances for a better future as other children in the society.

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