On 23^rd February 2022, KEPSA CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki met Ms. Sanda Ojiambo – UN Global Compact Executive Director at KEPSA offices to share insights on the recently launched UN Global Compact Strategy and ways of addressing gaps that have been identified over implementation of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Ms. Sanda Ojiambo was particularly keen on understanding the different approaches that can be explored in implementation of the UN Global Compact principles; some of the pressing issues; relevancy of the UN Global Compact principles in the local context; ways that UN Global Compact can partner with private sector apex organizations such as KEPSA in implementing the UN Global Compact Africa Strategy 2021-2023; and KEPSA’s journey on dealing with SMEs especially after the signing of KEPSA-Corporate Council on Africa (CCA) memorandum of understanding that was anchored on supporting SMEs to access the US market.

On her part, Ms. Kariuki shared insights on KEPSA’s journey on rallying the private sector to sign the Business Code of ethics and the challenges hitherto. On SMEs, she recounted some initiatives that have been championed by KEPSA including the push for the MSME Act 2012, the COVID period interventions such as the actualization of the SME Guarantee Scheme, interest free credit facility, and SME trainings and mentorship. She also added the KEPSA anti-corruption initiatives including the Corruption Risk Mapping (CRMs) reports, contribution to finalization and signing of the Bribery Act 2016 spearheaded by KEPSA through Business Against Corruption Kenya (BACK), and the Multi-Sectorial Initiative Against Corruption that culminated to the National Multisectoral Forum on Corruption at Bomas Kenya in 2018.

The two agreed to bolster efforts on implementation and monitoring of the Global Compact principles and enhance communication strategy in order to increase buy-in by businesses. The communication strategy to focus on demonstrating the value proposition to business ascribing to the principles.