Today's Business Leader Spotlight showcases Kairo Thuo, the Managing Partner at Viva Africa Consulting LLP. Mr. Thuo recounts the firm's journey since its establishment as a co-founder. Here is the full narration of his stewardship and the company's transformation into a leading tax and business advisor in the region.

"When my partners, Alex Muriuki, the Late Edward Mwachinga, Mick Murphy and I, founded Viva Africa Consulting LLP (VACL) in 2009, we had a clear vision, which was to provide strategic, practical, tax and financial advisory services rooted in deep local insight and global standards.  With a team of seasoned professionals who bring extensive experience within Africa, we have built a reputation for excellence in business and investment structuring, legal and financial tax advisory support services, including but not limited to tax controversy, implementation support, and corporate governance.  As a full-service firm, we are also engaged in policy advocacy and stakeholder engagement.

In May 2018, we made a deliberate decision to join the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA); a move that has since proven pivotal.  KEPSA provided us with a credible and collaborative platform to contribute to national policy dialogue, particularly in the tax and business reform space.  As a firm deeply invested in shaping a business environment that supports sustainable growth, this partnership aligned perfectly with our long-term strategy.

One of the most defining moments of this relationship was in June 2024, during the public participation over the Finance Bill, 2024.  Together with KEPSA and other stakeholders, we advocated strongly for a tax framework that balances government revenue needs with the realities of doing business in Kenya, and more so a conducive and sustainable business environment for the private sector.

We are especially proud of our Associate Director, Dennis Mburu, who led our technical submissions before the Parliamentary Committee on Finance and National Planning.  His leadership and clarity on complex tax issues reflect the kind of excellence we nurture within our team.

Over time, our engagement with KEPSA has gone beyond reactive participation.  It has become a proactive, structured commitment to contributing to meaningful tax and financial policy development aimed at enhancing the business environment in Kenya and beyond.  Whether it’s through policy advocacy, industry roundtables, or thought leadership, we have positioned ourselves not just as advisors, but as partners to both businesses and government.

Some highlights of this journey include:

• Policy Advocacy: We have worked with KEPSA to shape tax policies that are growth-oriented and reflective of the business environment.
• Stakeholder Engagement: We continuously engage policymakers, regulators, and business leaders, ensuring our perspectives are heard and valued.
• Thought Leadership: Our team regularly contributes to tax discussions through articles, speaking engagements, and expert forums.

At Viva Africa Consulting LLP, we remain committed to deepening this partnership.  We understand that meaningful change requires collaboration, consistency, and courage.

We look forward to building on this momentum and ensuring that our firm remains a trusted voice in Kenya’s business and investment landscape.  Together with KEPSA, and many other committed partners, we will continue working to create an enabling environment for businesses; large and small—to grow, thrive, and make a lasting impact.  We encourage other businesses to forge relationships with associations such as KEPSA for a coordinated approach in seeking solutions to ever-emerging business challenges."