NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 29 – National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwah has called on the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) to restore public trust in economic policies, highlighting the private sector’s potential in driving job creation and enhancing Kenya’s global competitiveness.
Speaking at a roundtable with KEPSA, Ichungwah expressed frustration over KEPSA’s silence during the Finance Bill 2024 debate, citing missed opportunities to bridge the ‘trust deficit’ between the government and the public.
He argued that KEPSA’s endorsement would carry more weight than political voices on economic proposals, particularly with controversial tax proposals like those on sanitary towels.
“Kenyans were led to believe that all proposals in the Finance Bill 2024 were punitive,” he said, noting that public support could have been swayed if the private sector had championed the bill’s benefits, including enhanced competitiveness and support for local industries.
Ichungwah encouraged KEPSA and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) to take a more proactive stance in communicating the advantages of such policies to the public, especially those supporting local production and job growth.
He highlighted that several private sector-backed proposals were ultimately rejected due to a lack of public trust.
Thanking KEPSA and KAM for their economic contributions, Ichungwah urged them to expand their advocacy for supportive policies, which he deemed crucial for job creation and economic stability.
He emphasized the need for collaboration to address Kenya’s economic challenges, especially in combating youth unemployment and creating a thriving business environment for enterprises of all sizes.
