State moves new Bill to create conducive business environment

Business
By Edwin Nyarangi | Jun 03, 2025
Aaron Cheruiyot, during the fundraising for empowerment of Mama Mboga, and Youths in Kiambaa constituency on April 23, 2025. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

A Bill that seeks to amend various laws to create a conducive environment for doing business is currently before the Senate.

The ="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=011965659370381653902:7awkdkhs2_y&q=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/business/enterprise/article/2001505940/state-reviews-laws-to-improve-business-operating-environment&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwipmpixmtWNAxWdUaQEHVJWDm4QFnoECAUQAQ&usg=AOvVaw29zcun7kkITXYS05OxA4rl">Business Laws (Amendment) Bill< (Senate Bills No. 52 of 2024), moved by the Senate Majority Leader, Aaron Cheruiyot, requires the Investment Promotion Authority to provide government services at a centralised facility.

The Bill that is currently in the second reading requires agencies stationed at the centralised facility to provide services to investors in accordance with their functions and mandate.

“This Bill seeks to increase the number of permits that will be issued to foreign direct investors and facilitators for foreign investors who apply for an investment certificate. This is by amending Section 13 of the Investments Promotion Act,” said Cheruiyot.

He said the World Bank released a report last week advising that for Kenya to regain its competitiveness, there is a need to make amendments to ensure the growth of the various sectors of the economy.

Cheruiyot said that with interventions such as the ="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=011965659370381653902:7awkdkhs2_y&q=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/national/article/2001518286/mutua-and-orwoba-clash-during-senate-probe-on-foreign-jobs-scandal&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjjruLqmtWNAxWWQUEAHWpeCVcQFnoECAMQAg&usg=AOvVaw3KzS_Y-HiL5BJkCzXrYsEt">Kazi Majuu Programme< and the promotion done by the State Department of Diaspora Affairs, Kenyans are sending home over a billion dollars, with the funds being used to set up businesses.

“If we can come up with policies that will ensure that we will grow that by 100 per cent, that is real growth that will be realised because that is money that has come back to this economy,” he said.

Cheruiyot told the House that Kenya spends close to Sh500 billion importing food alone, such as wheat, sugar, rice, and cooking oil, pointing out the countries that we import from: Pakistan for rice, Malaysia for edible oil, and Russia and Ukraine for wheat.

“It is because they have listened and have taken time to understand what they would do for their ="https://www.google.com/url?client=internal-element-cse&cx=011965659370381653902:7awkdkhs2_y&q=https://www.standardmedia.co.ke/amp/business/article/2001510562/reforms-in-business-laws-a-game-changer-for-borrowers-financiers&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwipmpixmtWNAxWdUaQEHVJWDm4QFnoECAcQAg&usg=AOvVaw0rNaiUUu6UycEY2-uXpU8m">private sector to become more competitive< as well as ensure that they produce sufficiently for their country of origin and enough to export to other countries,” he said.

Share this story
Getting started in beekeeping
Bees are not only a source of nourishing honey for personal use but can also be a source of income from the sale of the honey and its many other byproducts.
Over 700 firms seek CBK licence amid crackdown on predatory digital lenders
The Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) revealed the overwhelming interest as it announced the licensing of an additional 41 firms, bringing the total number of regulated lenders to 126.
MPS query fate of Sh4.2b earned from trading housing levy funds
State Department for Housing had loaned the government Sh46 billion through Treasury Bills. The interest earned has, however, not been factored into the budget for the financial year 2025/26.
What you need to know about the circular economy
To adopt it however, stakeholders need to well understand this concept, the benefits, and challenges in its uptake.
Airtel Money users to get cash back on transactions
Airtel Kenya will now reimburse its customers 50 per cent of transaction fees for bank-to-Airtel Money transactions.
.
RECOMMENDED NEWS