GIZ has officially launched the Facilitators Manual on Addressing Workplace Sexual Harassment under the theme “Creating Safe and Inclusive Workplaces.”

The event, held at Emara Ole Sereni, brought together partners from the EU, German Cooperation, and c—reflecting a shared commitment to strengthening dignity, safety, and equity within the world of work.

KNCCI was represented by our HR and County Coordinator, Charity Wanjau, who participated in a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring critical issues such as reporting channels, building cultures that encourage speaking out, prevention strategies, institutional response mechanisms, and the emerging conversations around restorative justice.

The discussion examined how organizations can restore balance after incidents of harassment—whether through the courts or alternative tribunals—while ensuring fairness for all parties.

Charity offered notable insights on establishing a buddy system to support safer and more trusted reporting. She also emphasized that harassment can affect anyone: men can be victims, and perpetrators can sometimes be juniors or even external parties.

Such realities require robust, adaptive frameworks capable of addressing scenarios that fall outside traditional assumptions.

KNCCI will continue to play an essential role in developing and supporting the implementation of comprehensive HR and anti-harassment policies.

With ongoing collaboration and strengthened institutional capacity, we remain optimistic that workplaces across Kenya can progressively become safer, more inclusive, and more responsive for all.

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The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) today hosted the European–Kenya Business Networks Dialogue on Responsible Business Conduct (RBC) at Maa Hotel & Suites, Nairobi. The high-level forum brought together government officials, European Union representatives, development partners, business leaders, and private sector networks to advance conversations on ethical, sustainable, and competitive trade between Kenya and the European Union.

The dialogue was graced by the partners in the project including the State Department for Trade, officials from the European Union Delegation, representatives from the Embassy of Sweden and SIDA, the Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR), and leaders from Kenya’s private sector.

Speaking at the event Dirk Hoffmann, Chief Advisor, Danish Institute for Human Rights (DIHR) asked Kenyan companies to familiarize themselves with global developments with multiple countries currently developing their own legislative approaches to making human rights due diligence mandatory. He described the recent European Partnership Agreement deal which the European Union has termed the most ambitious new deal in terms o sustainability and human rights a hint of where future agreements will look like.

“As part of global value chains African businesses may face increasing requirements to demonstrate how they manage and communicate about human issues. We are happy that the Kenya National Action Plan includes a commitment to make human rights due diligence a mandatory part of licensing process through a revision of the company Act”

Representing the Ministry of Trade and Investment Director for Trade Simon Chelelgo said the government has enhanced engagement with firms especially those in the agricultural sector to ensure they abide with the new rules. He said the government is leading the way in compliance with the formulation of regulation and policies and the review of the Company Act is underway.

In his address, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto emphasized that responsible business conduct has become a global trade imperative. KNCCI highlighted that Kenya exports goods worth KSh 190 billion annually to the European Union, predominantly in coffee, tea, horticulture, and manufacturing hence with new developments such as the EU Green Deal and the Corporate Sustainability Due Diligence Directive (CSDDD), exporters must strengthen sustainability, traceability, and human rights standards to retain and grow market access.

Dr. Rutto also noted that competitiveness and sustainability are now inseparable, as 7 in 10 European consumers prefer ethically sourced products.

“Responsible Business Conduct is no longer a moral choice; it is a global requirement and a strategic necessity,” said Dr. Rutto. “With the EU shaping over €4 trillion in global trade through sustainability regulations, Kenyan businesses must integrate sustainability and human rights into their operations to remain globally competitive.”

Representing 47 county chambers and over 50,000 enterprises, KNCCI outlined ongoing efforts to embed responsible business principles across Kenya’s private sector. Through the pioneering Business and Human Rights (BHR) Programme, implemented with DIHR and funded by SIDA, KNCCI has:

• Trained 800+ enterprises on sustainability and due diligence.
• Conducted a Sector-Wide Impact Assessment (SWIA) for the coffee industry in 10 counties.
• Supported MSMEs to adopt responsible sourcing and traceability systems.

“These efforts not only empower our MSMEs but reinforce Kenya’s reputation as a reliable and responsible trade partner globally. Let us build a private sector that is globally competitive, ethically grounded, and sustainably driven. Together, we will ensure Kenya’s exports lead globally with integrity, innovation, and impact,” Dr. Rutto added.

The morning sessions featured expert insights on European legislative developments and their implications for international trade. Discussions explored the EU–Kenya Partnership Agreement, sustainability compliance, and practical models of corporate human rights due diligence.

While speaking on the recently signed Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the European Union Filipo Amato said the new agreement stands out as the only such EPA with an African country where sustainable development takes center stage.

“The Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the European Union is the most ambitious new deal in terms of sustainability and human rights.”

The forum also highlighted the importance of collaboration in navigating emerging global sustainability frameworks with the partners including:

• DIHR,
• EU Delegation, Embassy of Sweden, SIDA,
• UN Global Compact Network Kenya, and
• Leading private sector networks.

Collectively, these stakeholders are supporting businesses to understand EU requirements, adopt RBC practices, and explore new sustainable market opportunities.

In closing, investors were urged to embrace responsible, ethical, and sustainable business as the foundation of long-term trade growth.

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The event brought together stakeholders from government agencies, development partners, financial institutions, and the private sector to strengthen collaboration in supporting women-led small and medium enterprises (WSMEs). The SHE GROWS Programme, a strategic initiative, seeks to unlock the growth potential of women-owned businesses by addressing barriers such as limited access to finance, underdeveloped support systems, and gender-based biases.

In his keynote address, KNCCI President Dr. Erick Rutto emphasized that when women grow, the nation flourishes. He highlighted KNCCI’s ongoing efforts through the Women in Business (WIB) Committee, established in 2016, to empower, connect, and champion women entrepreneurs across all 47 counties.

“Our vision is simple has the tools, networks, and opportunities to grow her business and transform her community,” Dr. Rutto said. “If you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together.”

Dr. Rutto outlined findings from the KNCCI 2025 Business Barometer, noting that women own 40% of Kenyan businesses but continue to face challenges such as limited access to capital, gender bias, and low participation in public procurement despite policy provisions. He detailed KNCCI’s interventions through initiatives like the Chamber Business Academy, the Isoko Platform, and the AGPO Strengthening Project, all designed to boost women’s competitiveness and inclusion in trade and investment.

KNCCI Advisor on Women in Business, Ms. Nancy Muthoni, also participated actively in the programme — both in the opening session and as a panelist in the discussion on Strengthening the Women-Led SME Ecosystem. She emphasized the importance of building supportive networks and ensuring that women entrepreneurs are integrated into regional and global supply chains.

The event featured sessions on finance, investment readiness, and market access, with partners such as the     and the EU Delegation sharing insights and partnership opportunities.

The roundtable concluded with a commitment ceremony co-led by Dr. Erick Rutto and IFC’s Marieme Niang, where stakeholders pledged to support the implementation of the SHE GROWS programme.

KNCCI pledged its commitment to championing inclusive growth, advocating for gender-responsive policies, and fostering partnerships that ensure women-owned businesses are not just participants but drivers of Kenya’s economic transformation.

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