KEPSA CEO Ms Carole Kariuki led the private sector in the launch of the World Bank Group Country Partnership Framework (CPF) for the Republic of Kenya for FY 2023-2028 on 6^th December 2022 at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi. The CPF provides the strategic framework for the World Bank Group's engagement with Kenya, spelling out priorities, indicative programs and expected results for the reference period.

The launch was attended by Mr Keith Hansen – World Bank County Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia and Uganda; Ms Jumoke Jagun-Dokunmu – IFC Regional Director for Eastern Africa; Cabinet Secretaries led by Prof Njuguna Ndung'u (National Treasury and Economic Planning), Hon Eliud Owalo (Information, Communications and the Digital Economy), Hon Kipchumba Murkomen (Roads and Transport); Governors including H.E Ann Waiguru (Kirinyaga), H.E Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi), H.E Mohamud Ali (Marsabit), H.E Simba Arati (Kisii); Hon Adan Fatuma Dullo - Deputy Majority Leader of the Senate; H.E Maarten Brouwer – Co-Chair, Development Partners Group and Ambassador of Netherlands to Kenya; Hon Naisula Lesuuda – Samburu West Member of Parliament; Ms Nancy Gathungu - Auditor General; Dr Harun Sirma – Head of the Public Debt Management Office among other leaders.

In his opening remarks, Mr Keith Hansen termed inequality as one of the primary problems hindering development. He went on to say that as much as growth is essential, it's important to have policies that enhance the growth potential of the poor. This, he said, requires an active policy stance that is purposeful, comprehensive and sustained, so that all Kenyans can develop and realise their full potential. "We need people to be connected to markets to have access to credit and collateral regardless of the size of firms to create financial inclusion. We need to protect them with fair wage and labour practices and access to objective dispute resolution mechanisms," He added.

Ms Jagun-Dokunmu said that IFC is committed to support the Kenya development agenda and private sector to improve as the engine for inclusive growth and sustainable development while pointing out that the government must take the lead in providing the enabling environment that will facilitate impactful private sector investments. She added that IFC is stepping up its work to respond to the current needs of people and to unlock future opportunities. She said that this included expanding its work to further unleash the vibrant Kenya's small and medium-sized enterprises, support the agriculture sector to be more climate and water resilient to strengthen food production systems, increase regional trading opportunities and reduce reliance on imports.

In his keynote address, Prof Njuguna Ndung'u noted that the current administration will sufficiently pursue an all-inclusive economic growth model using the bottom-up approach that will establish appropriate institutional reform to develop, regulate and protect markets that will unite production and productivity downstream while at the same time increasing revenue upstream. He said, "The implementation of the country partnership framework we are launching today will support the Kenyan economy in its development discourse and moreso the constraints particularly the emerging threat of food security and climate change."

In a high-level panel discussion at the launch, Ms Kariuki noted that leveraging digital technology, a demand-driven consumption model and public-private partnerships to enable last-mile infrastructure and services, are some of the ways to accelerate economic growth. Other panellists included H.E Ambassador Maarten Brouwer, H.E Ann Waiguru, Hon Adan Fatuma Dullo, Ms Wanjiru Gikonyo – National Coordinator, Institute of Social Accountability and Dr Harun Sirma. The session was moderated by Ms Yvonne Okwara.

Some of the issues raised during the panel session included issues of resource sharing in the context of devolution, accountability and inclusion during resource allocation, the need to ensure people-centred investments, good governance and service delivery, and streamlining grant financing models among others.

The launch ceremony was closed by Governor Sakaja who pointed out the need to harness innovations, especially in the digital space to ensure rapid scale-up and creation of opportunities. He noted that the progress of somebody's life should not be based on the circumstances they find themselves in adding that what is critical is the need to equalise opportunities, especially for the youth.

The CPF can be access through the link: https://bit.ly/3h6SR2v