Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has affirmed that the government and the private sector are on course to enhance the ease of doing business.
Mudavadi said the government and the private sector will in the next three months agree on a matrix highlighting action plan “and by who and when.”
“We have tasked a secretariat made up of the government and the private sector to work on a matrix indicating who is to do what, when, and the deliverables. This should be in place by April so that all the proposals will be included in the Budget Policy Statement and other relevant legislations on the ease of doing business in Kenya,” he said.
Mudavadi made the remarks during a stakeholder engagement meeting with the private sector themed, "The ease and cost of doing business and facilitation of a smooth business environment for the private sector.”
The meeting brought together Cabinet Secretaries, Principal Secretaries, and stakeholders from both the private sectors, including the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Kenya Association of Manufacturers, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce (KNCCI), Kenya Flower Council, and Kenya Leather Development Council.
Emphasising the government’s role in facilitating business, Mudavadi quoted economist Milton Friedman: ‘The business of government is to facilitate business.’
He stressed the importance of public servants becoming catalysts for economic growth, driven by the private sector.
Mudavadi reiterated the government’s commitment to clearing the path for the business people rather than obstructing them.
Addressing the challenges in the current business environment, PCS acknowledged excessive bureaucracy, outdated regulations, and inefficient infrastructure as significant barriers.
He invited the private sector to provide candid feedback.
“This meeting is an opportunity for those of you in the private sector to tell us ‘where the shoe pinches,’” he added.
He stressed the importance of a robust public-private dialogue, stating that meaningful progress requires government and private sector collaboration.
He emphasised that the government's role is to create an enabling environment for businesses to thrive.
National Treasury CS John Mbadi emphasised the need to address concerns that unpaid tax refunds curtail working capital. He assured that the government is committed to resolving the issue to improve cash flow for businesses.
Responding to these recommendations, Mbadi reiterated the government's commitment to addressing these challenges. He noted that clearing pending bills and stabilising