Office of The Deputy President, Republic of Kenya

11/06/2026

10/06/2026

Harambee House Annex, Nairobi, 10th June 2026 - Reducing the cost of doing business within the manufacturing sector remains a key priority under Kenya’s economic transformation agenda.

In line with this commitment, the Office of The Deputy President (ODP), today convened the Illicit Trade Workstream to review progress made and agree on a comprehensive, coordinated, and results-driven framework for tackling illicit trade as a systemic and multidimensional challenge.

Illicit trade continues to undermine the competitiveness of compliant businesses by distorting markets and creating an uneven operating environment. Its impact extends beyond the private sector, constraining investment and job creation, eroding government revenues, and exposing consumers to unsafe, counterfeit, and substandard products.

The ODP acknowledges the leadership of the State Department for Trade in advancing this critical agenda. Through strengthened inter-agency collaboration and sustained engagement with stakeholders, the Office remains committed to supporting the implementation of decisive interventions that safeguard legitimate enterprises, enhance consumer protection, and promote a more conducive environment for industrial growth, investment, and shared prosperity.

The Office is keen to see this process translate into tangible and measurable outcomes in the coming weeks, reinforcing Kenya’s competitiveness as a manufacturing and investment destination.

10/06/2026

New York, 10th June 2026 - The Office of the Deputy President today joined the Kenyan delegation at the opening of the 19th Session of the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities ( ) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Led by Mr. Joseph Motari, CBS, Principal Secretary for Social Protection and Senior Citizen Affairs, the Kenyan delegation participated in the official opening session and delivery of Kenya’s Country Statement under the theme: “CRPD at 20: Celebrating and consolidating achievements and shaping the next phase of implementation in a changing world.”

The Office of the Deputy President was represented by Dr. Gabriel Lagat, Head of the Intergovernmental Budget and Economic Council (IBEC), and Ms. Fridah Murungi, Head of the Gender and Affirmative Action Unit.

Kenya reaffirmed its commitment to advancing the rights, dignity, inclusion and empowerment of persons with disabilities, while celebrating the milestones achieved over the past two decades of implementing the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD).

The Office of the Deputy President remains committed to supporting initiatives that promote equity, inclusion and equal opportunities for all Kenyans, ensuring that no one is left behind in the country's development agenda.

10/06/2026

Karen Blixen, Nairobi, 9th June 2026 - Yesterday evening, the Office of the Deputy President (ODP) was represented at a dinner hosted by the visiting Minister of Foreign and European Affairs of the Slovak Republic, H.E. Juraj Blanár, at the Karen Blixen Gardens.

The visit reflects Kenya’s growing importance as a gateway for trade and investment into Africa. Although economic ties between Kenya and Slovakia remain modest, there is significant potential to deepen cooperation in trade, investment, manufacturing, technology, and innovation.

In line with the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the Office of the Deputy President will continue to support efforts that attract investment, expand economic opportunities, strengthen trade relations, and contribute to sustainable economic growth.

The ODP delegation was led by Dr. Gasheri Thuku, Head of Trade and Investments.

05/06/2026

Nakuru, Friday, 5th June 2026 - Inclusivity remains central to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). As Kenya moves towards raising manufacturing’s contribution to GDP to 20% by 2030, it is essential that growth opportunities are distributed across all counties and sectors of the economy. In this regard, support for the Jua Kali sector stands as both a strategic pillar of industrial transformation and a key driver of inclusive economic development.

To advance this agenda, the Office of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, through the Department of Trade and Investments, coordinated a multi-stakeholder process to address longstanding land ownership challenges affecting Jua Kali Associations nationwide. With the conclusion of the Technical Working Group’s mandate, the initiative now shifts from policy formulation to implementation.

Bringing together national and county governments, the private sector, and development partners, the process has delivered a comprehensive roadmap for resolving land access and tenure constraints that have hindered the sector’s growth for over three decades.

A key outcome is the harmonisation, regularisation, and protection of land designated for Jua Kali enterprises, providing greater certainty, security, and investor confidence for artisans and small-scale manufacturers.

Implementation is targeted for completion by September 2026, marking a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen Kenya’s manufacturing ecosystem. Stakeholders remain committed to unlocking the full potential of the Jua Kali sector as a catalyst for job creation, resilient value chains, improved trade competitiveness, and broad-based economic growth.

Through sustained collaboration, this initiative will contribute meaningfully to the realization of BETA and Kenya’s long-term development aspirations.

Stakeholders present include National Land Commission; State Department for MSME Development; Ministry of Lands, Public Works, Housing and Urban Development; Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA); Council of Governors; State Department for Cooperatives; Kenya National Federation for Jua Kali Associations; Office of the Attorney-General and Department of Justice.

04/06/2026

Nairobi, Thursday, 4th June 2026 - Earlier today, the Office of the Deputy President engaged European Union in Kenya trade counsellors in Kenya in a strategic dialogue aimed at advancing Kenya’s trade and investment agenda.

The engagement provided an opportunity to outline the Office’s mandate, coordination framework, and key priorities geared towards enhancing trade competitiveness, expanding market access, and supporting private sector-led economic growth.

Discussions focused on practical avenues for collaboration between the Office of the Deputy President, the European Union Delegation, Embassies of EU Member States, and the European business community in Kenya to deepen trade and investment partnerships.

Particular attention was given to ongoing economic reforms and opportunities for development and investment partners to support accelerated implementation, stimulate enterprise growth, and unlock new economic opportunities.

The Kenya Kwanza Administration remains committed to building a competitive, investor-friendly, and industrially resilient economy.

Strengthening public-private dialogue and fostering strategic international partnerships remain central to driving sustainable growth, enhancing productivity, and creating opportunities for businesses and citizens across the country.

We appreciate the participation and continued partnership of the French Embassy in Kenya and Somalia, the French Chamber of Commerce Kenya, the Embassy of Hungary, the Embassy of Belgium, the German Embassy Nairobi, AHK Eastern Africa, the Embassy of Denmark, the Embassy of Sweden, the Embassy of the Netherlands, the Slovak Embassy in Kenya, the Czech Embassy in Nairobi, the Embassy of Estonia, and the Embassy of Finland in Nairobi.

26/05/2026

Nairobi, 26th May 2026 - The Office of the Deputy President, through the Gender and Affirmative Action Unit, today held separate consultative meetings with Equity Group Foundation and Tana and Athi Rivers Development Authority alongside representatives from relevant government institutions to deliberate on potential areas of collaboration towards empowerment, inclusion and socio-economic development initiatives.

The engagements focused on women’s economic empowerment, financial inclusion, and community livelihood support programmes aimed at uplifting vulnerable and marginalized communities across the country.

The meetings reasserted the importance of multi-sectoral partnerships and coordinated approaches in advancing sustainable and impactful community empowerment programmes.