KEPSA CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki on 31^st October 2024 delivered a keynote address during the launch of the Carole Kinoti Foundation (CKF) at the Capital Club, Nairobi. The event hosted by Carole Kinoti, Carole Kinoti Foundation (CKF) founder aims to raise awareness of CKF’s work and mission, highlight its ongoing initiatives, and mobilize resources to further expand its reach through sustainable economic empowerment in Kenya while developing the cotton and leather value chains. Other guests present at the event included Hon. Lesuuda Naisula, Samburu West, Member of Parliament, Joyce Njogu, Head of Consulting and Business Development at the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), communities CKF works with   in the 11 counties, especially marginalized counties, Academia and government representatives including the prisons department.

Ms. Carole Kariuki while delivering the keynote address, highlighted the key role played by women in society hence the need to empower them, “Empowering women isn’t just about giving them a seat at the table; it’s about giving them the tools to build their own tables and lift up everyone around them” She further highlighted how opening up women-led businesses to the African market would spur economic growth, “empowering women is not just the right thing to do; it is also crucial for our economy. The African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) gives us a unique chance to improve our trade abilities and expand market access for SMEs, especially those led by women”

Over the years, KEPSA has undertaken several initiatives to facilitate gender mainstreaming into private sector policies. These include Championing Women’s Role in Peace during elections, Public-Private Partnerships for Gender Equity, the SME COVID-19 Recovery and Resilience Programme, the Wheels for Life Initiative, the SME Accelerator Program, and the Private Sector Gender Mainstreaming Policy of 2022. This and other efforts made KEPSA to receive continental recognition in 2022 through the Private Sector Award in the African Gender Award 2022. KEPSA was recognized during a meeting at the State House Nairobi to celebrate former President Uhuru Kenyatta's selection as the recipient of the African Gender Award 2022 by the ‘Gender is my Agenda Campaign’, having led the country to achieve 11 out of 12 operative articles of the Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality in Africa.

While at it, she applauded Carole Kinoti for her vision and commitment to empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities in the fashion industry through the launch of the Carole Kinoti Foundation. “The Daima Mkenya initiative under CKF is taking the KEPSA MKenya Daima campaign to the next level through fashion and will be partnering with the KEPSA foundation on other social economic projects,” She said. The KEPSA CEO spoke about other initiatives KEPSA is implementing which they can partner with CKF to support women in business including; Supporting and enabling young men and women MSEs (50% women-led) to access affordable and appropriate finance through the Jiinue Growth Program (JGP) and Empowering women through Digital and digitally enabled jobs courtesy of the Ajira Digital program.

Carole Kinoti, Carole Kinoti Foundation (CKF) founder explained to the audience the idea behind the establishment of the foundation; empowering women, youth, and persons with disabilities in Kenya’s fashion industry by providing essential skills, tools, and opportunities to marginalized communities. She encouraged Kenyans to wear Kenyan-made cotton fabric under the Daima ‘Mkenya’ program as this brings benefits down the value chain to farmers hence empowering them.

On her part, Hon. Lesuuda Naisula, Samburu West, member of Parliament, said that initiative resonates so well with her since it’s something she relates with, especially with her background from Samburu County. “I like engaging in such events so as to connect with what the other people, the private sector is doing with the communities, the synergies we can all bring together, the policymakers, and see how we can move forward. These are our communities, these are our people and we have a responsibility to ensure that we change the lives of our people”

The event featured the Daima ‘Mkenya’ Kikoy Launch, addresses from several speakers, a fashion show display, and impact stories from beneficiaries and representatives from cotton cooperatives in Busia County and the Golden Valley Cooperative in North Rift Kenya.