The Ministry of Industrialisation, Trade and Investment has lined up a series of measures geared towards encouraging Kenyans to purchase locally produced goods and services.
Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya, while committing to coordinate the implementation of the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya initiative, said the measures to be implemented in the next year seek to prioritise Kenyan products and instil patriotism.
He said his ministry will coordinate and track the procurement of uniforms and shoes for the disciplined forces from local manufacturers.
The CS further said his ministry will coordinate and track procurement of health products and technologies by Kenya Medical Supplies Agency and update and publish the Procurement Master Roll of 2021.
Procurement Master Roll of 2021 seeks to create a favourable commercial, trade, and investment environment that supports enterprise expansion.
“We have reflected on our performance in the last two years and set the targets for the next 12 months,” Mvurya told a press briefing.
With him was Secretary to the Cabinet Mercy Wanjau and Deputy Chief of Staff, Performance and Delivery Management Eliud Owalo.
The overall objective of the Buy Kenya, Build Kenya Strategy is to increase competitiveness and consumption of locally produced goods and services.
The Strategy aims to promote and enhance the consumption of Kenya’s own products and services in both absolute figures and as a proportion of the gross domestic product (GDP).
Owalo said the government is keen to institutionalise performance management in public service.
“The ministry has set the targets and the people leading the team will be held to account at the end of one year,” he said.
Wanjau said she was satisfied with the implementation of programmes at the Ministry of Industrialisation Trade and Investment.
“Decisions are on track. We are looking forward to better results with this high level of compliance,” she said.
The ministry also committed to developing and submitting E-commerce Policy to Cabinet for approval and also coming up with a digital services export strategy within one year.
“In order to enhance value addition in the textile and apparels sub sector, increase production of locally manufactured fabrics and garments and increase exports in the sector, the ministry commits to developing Cotton, Textile and Apparels Policy,” the CS added.
Mvurya said the ministry recorded several milestones in the last two years.
He noted that the ministry has promoted the increase of exports from Sh871 billion in 2022 to 1,008 billion in 2024, an increase of 136.9 billion (15 per cent increase).
He further noted that Kenya and EU signed an Economic Partnership Agreement, which secured permanent market access to the 27 EU countries.
The CS further said Kenya has attracted increased Foreign Direct Investments (FDIs) which have increased from USD 759 million in 2022 to USD 1.504 billion in 2024, an increase of USD 745 million (98 per cent rise).
