EPZA Board Chairman Cheruiyot's Role and Responsibilities in Kenya Trade Investment

• Mr. Richard Cheruiyot was appointed as EPZA Board Chairman by H.E President Dr. William Samoei Ruto in April 2023 for a three-year term, which has since concluded.
• The EPZ Program aims to contribute to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by promoting value-added products, attracting productive investments, and developing skills and technology transfer.
• Cheruiyot emphasized the need for innovation in the pre-investment process, with a focus on digitizing all EPZA services before the end of the year.
• The Government's efforts to promote Kenya as an attractive trade and investment destination through platforms like the Kenya Investment Single Window (KISW) may impact compliance obligations and due diligence requirements for investors.

With his leadership, EPZA is poised to make significant strides in achieving its mandate and contributing to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).

Mr. Richard Cheruiyot was appointed EPZA Board Chairman by H.E President Dr. William Samoei Ruto in April 2023 for a three-year term. During his tenure, Cheruiyot supported EPZA in achieving its goals, including increased diversification of exports, attraction of new investments, and generation of employment opportunities. The Board Chairman's duties are outlined in the EPZ Program mandate and objectives, which aim to contribute to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) by promoting value-added products, attracting productive investments, and developing skills and technology transfer.

Cheruiyot emphasized the need for innovation in the pre-investment process, with a focus on digitizing all EPZA services. This initiative is part of the Government's efforts to promote Kenya as an attractive trade and investment destination through platforms like the Kenya Investment Single Window (KISW). The Board Chairman also reiterated the importance of embracing technology to enhance efficiency and transparency in engagements with stakeholders.

The EPZA Board of Directors remains committed to promoting and sensitizing the public on the EPZ Program, with activities such as the E-Newsletter aimed at interacting with stakeholders and pushing the Authority outside its comfort zone. Under its leadership, EPZA is poised to make significant strides in achieving its mandate and contributing to Kenya's economic development.

The appointment of Mr. Richard Cheruiyot as EPZA Board Chairman in April 2023 had significant implications for lawyers advising clients on investments or trade with Kenya. The Government's efforts to digitize services and promote investments through platforms like the Kenya Investment Single Window (KISW) may impact compliance obligations and due diligence requirements for investors. As part of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), the EPZ Program is critical in achieving economic development goals, including increased exports, employment generation, and skills transfer.

The Government's prioritization of the Program as an economic development enabler and indicator underscores its importance in promoting Kenya as a trade and investment destination. With the value of exports from the EPZ standing at Kshs. 2.9 billion, there is potential for growth and expansion, which effective leadership can help facilitate.

Lawyers advising clients on investments or trade with Kenya should be aware of these developments and their implications for compliance obligations and due diligence requirements.

The leadership at EPZA has far-reaching implications for Kenya's economic development. EPZA is poised to make significant strides in achieving its mandate and contributing to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The digitization of services and promotion of investments through platforms like the Kenya Investment Single Window (KISW) are key initiatives that can enhance efficiency, transparency, and competitiveness.

As Kenya seeks to promote itself as a trade and investment destination, EPZA's role is crucial in ensuring that it aligns with the Government's development agenda. With a commitment to innovation and technology transfer, there is potential for growth and expansion of exports, employment generation, and skills development. The success of the EPZ Program will have a direct impact on Kenya's economic development, making strong leadership a critical factor in achieving these goals.

Lawyers advising clients on investments or trade with Kenya should be aware of the Government's efforts to digitize services and promote investments through platforms like 'One Star One Stop', which may impact their compliance obligations and due diligence requirements.

Source: Original reporting via From the Board Chairman’s Office