The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry(KNCCI) delegates in Central Kenya and the Upper Eastern region have thrown their weight behind Eric Rutto for the Presidency position.
According to them, Rutto provides the best opportunity to transform the chamber given his wealth of business experience locally and internationally.
Rutto is the lobby's current president and plans to topple his boss, Richard Ngatia in the elections set for June 6. He picked his vice president, Mustapha Ramadhan from the Mombasa chapter.
“We the members of the chamber of commerce and industry in the lower Eastern five counties of Meru, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, Isiolo and Marsabit have unanimously resolved to support the winning team of Rutto and Mustaffa,'' delegates said.
Welcoming the endorsement Rutto has promised to ensure that businesses in Kenya are empowered to compete regionally and internationally against their peers even as the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) continues to be implemented.
“Immediately we are in office my team will embark on cooperation with the line ministries and county governments to negotiate ways we can level the playing field for local business by lobbying to the government to lower the cost of doing business,'' Rutto said.
He added that local businesses including those that are informally constituted contribute massively to the economy through employment and cultivating the entrepreneurial spirit among the youth.
"Starting with Mombasa we have already mapped out SMEs and MSMEs in a digital database with over 31000 businesses including the sector and challenges they face, hoping to replicate this in all the 47 counties.''
