KEPSA, led by the CEO Ms Carole Kariuki, joined other stakeholders in the second Development Effectiveness Group (DEG) Retreat that was held on 1^st December 2022 at the Mercure Hotel, Upper Hill in Nairobi. The retreat, which was hosted by the National Treasury, aimed at reviewing the progress on the effective development cooperation commitments and agreeing on joint actions to be implemented for the next period with the objective of making development cooperation more effective.

Present during the forum included Dr Julius Muia - Principal Secretary, The National Treasury; H.E. Cecily Mbarire – Embu County Governor and Chair, Resource Mobilization and Partnerships Committee, Council of Governors; Ms Irene Giribaldi, Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation/ Development Partners DEG Co-Chair; Mr Vitalice Meja – Executive Director, ROA Africa Network; Ms Gloria Ndekei – Executive Director, KEPSA Foundation; Eng James Mwangi – KEPSA Director, Energy and Extractives; Ms Mary Ngechu – Chair, KEPSA SME Sector Board; Dr Ehud Gachugu - Project Director, Ajira Digital Program and Youth Employment at KEPSA among other dignitaries and government representatives.

Kenya has maintained a cordial partnership with development stakeholders supporting the development agenda through dialogue at different levels. DEG is the technical forum through which the Government of Kenya, development partners, civil society, the private sector and the stakeholders hold mutual dialogue to ensure that international commitments on Effective Development Co-operation (EDC) are domesticated at the country level.

During the opening session, Ms Carole Kariuki noted that KEPSA is engaged in the process of implementing Vision 2030 through participation in the development of medium-term plans (MTP) and making submissions in various sectors, highlighting the private sector priorities to ensure effective implementation of the MTP. Ms Kariuki said, “We are prioritizing SME development as a key driver of the economy and currently in partnership with the government in the implementation of Ajira Digital Program in bridging the gap between demand and lack of jobs as we seek to position Kenya as a choice labour destination for multinational companies and encourage local companies in the public sector to create digital work.”

The retreat was officially opened by Dr Julius Muia who noted that the government was looking to have an accelerated socio-economic transformation that will promote a competitive, inclusive and resilient economy. Dr Muia went on to say that effective cooperation that is country-owned, transparent and accountable must lead to better results for the country. “It is also only through actions that are based on national and county priorities, that we can strengthen our national and accountability systems which are very important in the process of development,” he added.

Governor Cecily Mbarire emphasized the key role played by the development partners and other partners in the implementation of the MTP4 and the County Integrated Development Plans which are being finalized. “It is in the interest of both national and county governments that there are reduced transaction costs to the government and to the development partners by streamlining systems for delivering external assistance, standardizing procedures, eliminating duplication, managing for development results and upholding mutual accountability and transparency while promoting aid and development effectiveness,” She added.

In her remarks, Ms Irene Giribaldi said that the retreat was timely and presented an opportunity for the donor partners group (DPG) to get to know the priorities of the new government and to define its work as part of the greater community. She added that after more than two years of the COVID-19 pandemic there is a greater need to re-establish and renew working modalities, looking backwards or what worked well and looking forward towards new challenges and new ways of working. The civil society representative Mr Vitalice Meja noted that Kenya together with civil society groups have successfully lobbied for the inclusion of the youth and children indicators in the next monetary framework for the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation (GPEDC).