President William Ruto has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to creating a more enabling environment for businesses, promising urgent legal and administrative reforms to address key concerns raised by the private sector.
Speaking Wednesday during the presidential private sector roundtable in Nairobi, Ruto said he had received a comprehensive list of priority issues from industry stakeholders and assured them of both his attention and that of the government.
"I assure you of my commitment, and that of the entire government, to address them with speed, clarity, and purpose," he stated.
Among the immediate actions outlined, Ruto announced that the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry will expedite the submission of the Business Laws (Amendment) Bill 2025 to Cabinet by the end of August.
The proposed legislation seeks to tackle legal challenges identified by businesses that were not covered in the recently enacted Finance Act 2025.
To further enhance the legislative framework, the Prime Cabinet Secretary has been tasked with coordinating with Parliament to finalise all pending business-related laws by December 2025.
Ruto also revealed that the Ministry will fully operationalise a digital one-stop centre at the Kenya Investment Authority by June 2026 to streamline business services and improve the investment climate.
Additionally, ministerial stakeholder forums with the private sector will now be held quarterly to ensure better coordination and follow-up on private sector concerns.
Even as he pledged reforms, the President called for patience and realism.
“We must not be distracted by the few who would rather see Kenya remain as it is, instead of what it could become. We may not solve every issue at once or overnight, but every step forward is meaningful progress,” he said.
The roundtable comes at a time when the private sector is seeking more predictability in policy-making and faster resolution of regulatory bottlenecks to stimulate growth and attract investment.
Ruto made the commitment to institutionalise regular presidential roundtables with the private sector during the 20th anniversary of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) in December 2024.
According to the Head of State, these sessions provide a platform for candid reflection, “where we engage, listen, and feel the pulse of enterprise in Kenya, ensuring that our partnership continues to deliver real, tangible, and measurable outcomes for the benefit of our economy and our people.”
