Foreign firms warned against breaching contract policy

Trade CS Peter Munya flanked by AAK President Mugure Njendu at Sarova Whitesands Mombasa on Friday 16 photo by Peter Kombe

BY PETER KOMBE

The Ministry of Trade has issued a stern warning to foreign companies for flouting a policy meant to ensure that Kenyans get at least 40 per cent of jobs.

Cabinet secretary in charge of Trade Peter Munya speaking at the Architectural Association of Kenya AAK convention said some foreign business entities use dubious means to flout the rule.

According to Munya it is a requirement that government contracts with foreign firms, 40 per cent goods and services provided should at least be locally sourced.

CS Munya says it denies Kenyans of their job opportunities.

“Foreign firms usually give you something that is less, like bush clearing and other demeaning services. They also hike the prices,” CS Munya said.

Meanwhile Architectural association of Kenya president Mugure Njendu says the association supports the government policy to promote the local building industry.

She added that it was time Kenyan builders got value for their creative efforts.

“We are ready for the manufacture of future buildings. This is because future buildings will not be built, they will be manufactured,” said Njendu.

The AAK president says the association fully supports the Big Four Agenda, especially the affordable housing and manufacturing pillars.

“We are ready to explore the machinery for future building and be part of the designing and influencing of the industry,” Njendu said.

Munya said the government is looking for ways to effectively enforce the 40 per cent subcontracting policy.

“We will ensure that this happens so that the 40 per cent local sub-contracting is real,” said Munya.

He added that the government is committed to ensuring the buy Kenya build Kenya policy is realized.

“It will be a master list of goods that are locally manufactured and available to guide service providers to the government to know what and where to get them,”

The service providers must use those products if they are to provide services to the government, the CS said.

“This list is not exhaustive. We will continue updating it as local capacity grows,” he said.

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