The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has appointed East African Breweries managing director Jane Karuku as its new chairperson.
Karuku has served as Vice Chairperson since July 2022, and will now lead the Association’s Board of Directors for a two-year term, succeeding Rajan Shah, whose term has come to an end.
In her address, Karuku stated that she looked forward to contributing to the growth of the association in line with their purpose of creating prosperity for the nation through sustainable industrialization.
"Cognizant of our ambition to grow the contribution of manufacturing to Kenya’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 20 per cent by 2030, it is clear we have a lot to do to lead the manufacturing sector towards this ambition," said Karuku.
The new Chairperson will focus on driving Kenya’s industrialization agenda, driving membership growth and enhancing stakeholder engagement.
“Our first agenda is to industrialize this country and make sure that through KAM, industrialization is more significant than it has ever been. The second agenda is to meet members’ needs, thereby supporting them realize our purpose for industrialization." added Karuku.
She noted that the association will engage all stakeholders in realizing the country's industrialisation agenda.
"I am looking to build an organization that is inclusive internally and externally, including our membership and all other stakeholders," she concluded.
She is a dynamic business leader, with strong management experience spanning over 25 years in Fast Moving Consumer Goods and non-governmental organizations.
She is the second woman business leader to chair the KAM board.
Hitesh Mediratta, the Managing Director for PG Bison (Kenya) Limited has been appointed as the Vice Chairperson.
He has served on the KAM Board in various capacities, including providing strategic guidance on trade and tax matters affecting the manufacturing sector.
The outgoing Chairman, Rajan Shah, will remain an Ex-Officio member of the Board, playing an advisory role in directing the growth of the Association.