The KEPSA CEO Ms Carole Kariuki together with the Deputy CEO Mr Victor Ogalo today hosted a U.S. Senate Finance Committee delegation at the KEPSA offices. The delegation was led by Mr Kennedy Gitonga, an Agricultural Specialist at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss Kenya – U.S Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) and apprise the visitors of Kenya’s general business environment, as well as, the available opportunities for investment and partnerships and the regulatory and legal landscape, including labour and workers’ standards in the country.

In her statement, Ms Kariuki noted that Kenya has good business environment with robust policies and regulations in favour of doing business and investments, albeit the need to strengthen policy implementation. She highlighted that KEPSA had taken a keen interest in reviewing these policies and identifying challenges that need remedying to make them adaptable for businesses. “As a country, we welcome both local and foreign investors, ensuring we identify unique opportunities that cut across every sector,” She noted.

Ms. Kariuki pointed out that there were opportunities in every sector and gave examples in a few priority areas, namely, Agriculture, Health, Digitalization, SME, Transport, Environment, Social and Governance (ESG), Energy and Climate Change which portend a lot of opportunities that the U.S. could come on board and partner with Kenyans. 

She continued to explain how the AGOA Act had been a success in terms of providing preferential market access for Kenyan exports, especially the textile and apparel industry which is now ranked 3^rd highest export earner for Kenya. At the same time, Mr. Ogalo proposed that in a review of the progress and success of AGOA, the U. S Government should consider extending it as an identification of other areas that would be fruitful upon renewal is underway.

In their response, the visiting delegation pointed out that the U.S. Congress was committed to resuming discussions on the AGOA Act for the possibility of its extension. The team was in the country to get the private sector’s perspective on the ongoing Kenya-US STIP talks.

Mr Ogalo highlighted that e-mobility was something the private sector and the government were focusing on currently. Though regulations may have been created, he pointed out that there was a need for a just- transition process for the regulations to be fully implemented. It was concluded going forward as the engagements between the private sector and the government begin, that the private sector’s presence and input as well as those of the Kenyan legislators and any other sector that may be impacted will be paramount to consider in the negotiations.

Mr Gitonga was accompanied by Ms Nomcebisi Ndlovu – Office of Senator Wyden; Ms Molly Newell - Office of Senator Crapo; Mr Colin St. Maxens – Office of Senator Crapo; Mr Samuel Negatu – U.S Trade Representative Office; and Mr Matt Synder – U.S Embassy Nairobi.