Kenya Association of Manufacturers

Yesterday, the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), through its Women in Manufacturing (WIM) program, hosted the WIM Lower Eastern Region Forum in Machakos. This session is part of a nationwide series supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, aimed at enhancing the participation and inclusivity of women in the manufacturing sector. Speaking at the forum, the County Secretary and Head of Public Service, Dr. Muya Ndambuki, representing the Machakos Governor, acknowledged the significant progress women have made in the county. He expressed enthusiasm about participating in the forum, emphasizing its alignment with Machakos County's commitment to women’s empowerment and leadership. Dr. Muya highlighted the county’s dedication to supporting women-owned industries and recognized KAM’s strong partnership with Machakos County, which has facilitated employment opportunities and humanitarian relief. Also in attendance, the CECM for Youth, Gender, and Sports, Hon. John Kilonzo, who recognized and congratulated the many women leading various organizations and departments in Kenya and Machakos County. He mentioned the various funds available for women through Machakos County initiatives. KAM Lower Eastern Region Vice Chairperson, Ms. Jane Ndungo, addressed the gender gap in manufacturing, where women remain underrepresented. She acknowledged the progress made through supportive organizational policies and emphasized the importance of initiatives like WIM2Counties, which empower women across value chains. Ms. Ndungo highlighted opportunities in sectors such as leather, construction, and textiles, particularly in Machakos County, and called for continued collaboration to enhance women’s roles in manufacturing, fostering a more resilient and inclusive industry. Ms. Emma Ngutu, representing the WIM Steering Committee, highlighted the ongoing efforts and achievements of the WIM program. She emphasized its impact on empowering women in the sector through mentorship, training, and partnerships, with a particular focus on enhancing women’s roles at the county level. KAM Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing, Mr Lawrence Njenga, MPRSK, reiterated KAM's commitment to sustainable industrialization. He emphasized the association's focus on sustainability, membership growth, and stakeholder engagement. Mr. Njenga also underscored the importance of empowering women in manufacturing through initiatives like the WIM2Counties Forums, which are key to enhancing industry competitiveness and driving economic prosperity. The county editions have been supported by GIZ through the Agency for Business and Economic Development, commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. The next county edition will take place in Mombasa County. #WIM2Counties

KAM Women in Manufacturing, Lower Eastern Region Edition was held today in Machakos town. The forum is a part of the nationwide forums geared towards enhancing the inclusivity of women in manufacturing and value chains. The regional forums are supported by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH . #WIM2Counties

Today, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) proudly recognized a talented group of students from Moringa School, who emerged as the winners of the three-day 'Project Eagle' hackathon. This collaborative initiative between KAM and Moringa School challenged participants to develop innovative solutions addressing real-world challenges faced by KAM. The participants showcased their skills in data analytics, data visualization, and machine learning, impressing our panel of judges with their creativity and problem-solving abilities. As a way of enhancing data analytics for fact-based advocacy within KAM, the Association will be onboarding the participants to provide practical solutions to KAM and its members. 'Project Eagle' is a pioneering KAM initiative aimed at harnessing the potential of youth in our transformative journey. By leveraging data science, machine learning, and artificial intelligence, this initiative empowers KAM to revolutionize advocacy and policymaking, paving the way for sustained industrialization and prosperity in Kenya.

Get ready for an action-packed day of sports and camaraderie at the 2024 Manufacturers' Sports Day! Reserve your spot now! https://lnkd.in/dAy2ryXZ #ManufacturersSportsDay In partnership with: Bata Shoe Kenya PLC, Absa Bank Kenya, Stealth Mark Africa, #Reddamac

Kenya’s pharmaceutical industry stands as a cornerstone in the region’s healthcare landscape, driving innovation and ensuring the availability of essential medicines. As the demand for high-quality healthcare products continues to rise, the sector plays a crucial role in shaping the future of healthcare in Kenya and beyond. Earlier today, Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), led by Ag. CEO Tobias Alando, MML, Bsc., in collaboration with the Federation of Kenya Pharmaceutical Manufacturers, engaged with Dr Waqo Dulacha Ejersa, CEO Kenya Medical Supplies Authority (KEMSA), to address key issues affecting the pharmaceutical sector. Mr Alando emphasized the importance of this engagement, which focused on exploring strategies to prioritize and enhance local capacity for manufacturing health products and technologies. This initiative is vital for ensuring access to safe and affordable healthcare for all Kenyans. KAM Head of Policy, Research and Advocacy, Job Wanjohi Muriithi, HSC, highlighted the advocacy issues, including the delayed payments to local manufacturers for supplies to KEMSA. It was noted that KEMSA has implemented measures to address this challenge. Another significant concern was the utilization of locally produced pharmaceutical products. It was agreed that KEMSA would review its product portfolio to better accommodate local sourcing. Additionally, discussions were held on amending the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Act of 2015 to increase the preference margin from 20-25% and to provide a 10% differential for local manufacturers, thereby boosting the uptake of locally manufactured drugs. Dr Waqo underscored the importance of maintaining a healthy ecosystem within the pharmaceutical sector, recognizing that it is essential for ensuring the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of healthcare delivery. He acknowledged the continuous research and innovation efforts that are vital in advancing pharmaceutical products and services. #KAMAdvocacy

Join us for a day of golfing and business networking on 31st August 2024 at Nyali Golf Club. Register here>>https://lnkd.in/gFGkhS6e #KAMCorporateGolf Proudly sponsored by: Kitui Flour Mills, Kericho Gold Tea, Consulate General of the Republic of Uganda - Mombasa, Kenya Breweries Limited (KBL), Milly Group of Companies Milly, Lake Nakuru Lodge

💅 Discover the ugly side of nail beauty! Ms. Janet Mwangi, CEO & Founder of Jada Kenya, exposes the silent killers in stick-ons, acrylics, gels, and excessive filing. Don't miss her eye-opening insights. Read more on Business Daily Africa here: https://lnkd.in/dSSsAwHF #KAMAdvocacy

Earlier today, KAM Board Chairperson Ms Jane Karuku and Vice Chairperson Mr Hitesh Mediratta held a pivotal meeting with KAM sector and chapter leadership. The meeting focused on building synergies and alignment of KAM's strategy with the diverse needs of our members. This engagement provided a valuable opportunity to discuss key issues, share insights, and reinforce our collective commitment to advancing the manufacturing sector in Kenya. Ms Karuku emphasized the importance of steering KAM towards becoming a world-class, member-centric organization dedicated to KAM’s purpose of creating prosperity for our nation through sustainable industrialization. "I look forward to working with all of you to steer this ship in the right direction that cements our thought leadership space, enhances our relevance to our members and stakeholders, and answers our quest to industrialize this economy," she stated. She further noted that as we continue to put our members first, this alignment will be crucial in ensuring that our members through our sectors are heard and benefit the entire Association and achieve our shared ambition of a thriving manufacturing sector that drives Kenya's economic growth, increasing the manufacturing contribution to GDP to 20% by 2030. #KAMAdvocacy

The #ManufacturersSportsDay registration deadline is fast approaching. Secure your spot now! Register here: https://lnkd.in/dAy2ryXZ

KAM Deputy Head of Policy, Research, and Advocacy, Ms Miriam Chepchumba Bomett, attended COP 11, today at the Ivato Conference Center in Antananarivo, Madagascar, where she represented the private sector. In her speech, Ms Bomett highlighted the private sector's significant strides in establishing Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) organizations, providing businesses with a collective platform to enhance financing for waste management in the country. She noted that over four locally registered EPR organizations have been established and are actively operational, focusing on collective schemes for packaging waste, electronic and electrical waste, as well as hazardous waste. Since 2021, more than 1,000 companies have enrolled in various EPR schemes, demonstrating the private sector's commitment to responsible waste management. KAM commends the Government of Kenya, particularly the Ministry of Environment and the National Environmental Management Authority (NEMA), for developing the necessary policy and legal frameworks that promote a circular economy approach to waste management under the National Sustainable Waste Management Policy and Act of 2022. These frameworks have empowered businesses to implement EPR schemes, which are now recognized as one of the leading approaches for extending the responsibility of businesses for the waste generated by their products. Ms Bomett concluded by reaffirming Kenya's commitment as a signatory to the Nairobi Convention. She emphasized that KAM is dedicated to working alongside the government to support these commitments and to collaborate in areas where business-driven solutions are essential. #KAMAdvocacy #COP11