KEPSA CEO Ms. Carole Kariuki, today, 24^th June 2025, held an engagement meeting with the newly appointed Managing Director of Mabati Rolling Mills (MRM), Mr. Albert Sigei, who was accompanied by Ms. Jane Ndungo. The meeting explored deeper engagement between KEPSA and MRM, focusing on strategic policy dialogue, industry competitiveness and collaboration in sustainability and community development.

The discussion began with an overview of MRM’s strategic focus for 2025. Mr. Sigei noted that one of MRM’s key priorities is enhanced engagement in policy matters affecting the steel sector, particularly those related to steel billets and iron ore. He expressed concern over unclear and inconsistent policies governing the importation and local sourcing of raw materials, which have created uncertainty for manufacturers. MRM is also closely monitoring the impact of regulatory loopholes being exploited by some informal or small-scale steel players, particularly around non-compliance with Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) certification and Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) requirements. These practices distort the market and place compliant companies at a disadvantage.

Mr. Sigei further emphasised the importance of enforcing quality and safety standards across the industry. Mr. Sigei proposed a more structured engagement between the private sector and government institutions, including the Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Enterprise Development, KRA, KEBS, and the Ministry of Mining, to resolve these persistent challenges.

In response, Ms. Kariuki reaffirmed KEPSA’s commitment to providing platforms for such dialogue. She highlighted that KEPSA’s 2025 agenda includes creating more sector-specific roundtables and public-private engagement forums, which will allow companies like MRM to meaningfully contribute to shaping industrial policy. She encouraged MRM to participate more actively in KEPSA’s Manufacturing and Industrialisation Sector Board, and also in emerging conversations around green manufacturing, circular economy models, and sustainability reporting.

The meeting also provided an opportunity to discuss MRM’s corporate social investment through the MRM Foundation. Notable projects by the foundation include the construction of Mabati Technical Training Institute (MTTI) in Mariakani, which provides vocational training in welding, electrical installation, masonry, and plumbing. The Foundation has also supported the building of classrooms and low-cost housing units for disadvantaged communities, donated roofing materials to disaster-affected areas, and engaged in healthcare and environmental conservation initiatives.

Given this alignment, Ms. Kariuki proposed that the KEPSA Foundation explore areas of collaboration with the MRM Foundation, particularly in skills development, community resilience, and climate action. Both organisations share a strong interest in creating sustainable social impact through private sector partnerships, and there is significant potential for joint programming or co-branded initiatives, especially in areas such as youth employability, green skills training, and affordable housing innovation.

The meeting concluded with agreement on several potential collaboration points. These include MRM’s participation in upcoming KEPSA policy forums, sponsorship and visibility in flagship KEPSA events, and ongoing dialogue with the KEPSA and KEPSA Foundation teams to align on areas of shared value.

This engagement reaffirmed KEPSA’s commitment to working closely with industrial leaders like MRM, not only to strengthen Kenya’s policy and regulatory environment but also to support sustainable development goals through purposeful business engagement.