NAIROBI, Kenya, Sept 21 – The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) Tuesday launched the ‘uKAMilifu’ initiative that is meant to alleviate poverty, bridge inequality, and empower marginalized groups and children.
uKAMilifu which is a part of the Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) arm of Kenya Association of Manufacturers is an initiative that is set to open opportunities for marginalized groups across the country.
It will host the Association’s social impact efforts and programs that bolster its mandate as the credible voice of the industry.
KAM Director and uKAMilifu Patron, MaryAnn Musangi noted that the initiative renews the association’s connection with inventions, humanity, and the future.
uKaMilifu, Musangi added, will bring together diverse economic actors in the country to advance a shared vision of amplifying and delivering human impact initiatives of the local industry.
“KAM shall work with current industry stakeholders and forge new partnerships to impact a wide spectrum of human development areas,” Musangi added.
KAM chairman, Mucai Kunyiha, who also attended the launch, decried the high cost of production and high taxes which hinders the operations of local industries.
“When the cost of production goes up, industries are forced to shrink their operations or move to other countries, to stay afloat. This means job cuts and increased dependency on the few people still earning an income. Consequently, the poverty and inequality gaps widen,” he said.
He, therefore, urged the government to develops favorable policies that allow businesses to thrive.
Principal Secretary for Youth Affairs, Ministry of ICT, Charles Sunkuli, who spoke during the launch, said the initiative will support the Government’s continued effort to empower marginalized groups, through various programs like the Ajira Digital and the Access to Government Opportunities (AGPO) programs.
“uKAMilifu is crucial towards complementing our efforts in alleviating poverty and empowering our society. For instance, through the Ajira Digital Program, various youth are being trained on how to gain crucial digital skills, the AGPO program has also enabled inclusivity and diversity in our procurement processes. We hope these will go a long way in empowering our community economically,” he added.