Kenya's Ministers of Trade: Achievements and Contributions

 


Since gaining independence from British colonial rule in 1963, Kenya has had a number of Ministers responsible for trade who have played significant roles in promoting economic growth and development. Each of these Ministers has had different goals and priorities during their time in office, and their achievements have varied accordingly. In this post, we'll take a closer look at the contributions made by some of Kenya's most notable Ministers of Trade.

1.       Mwai Kibaki (1979-1982)

Mwai Kibaki, who later went on to become Kenya's President, served as Minister of Trade, Commerce and Industry from 1979 to 1982. During his tenure, Kibaki introduced policies aimed at promoting import substitution and local manufacturing. This helped to reduce Kenya's reliance on imported goods and boost the domestic manufacturing sector. Kibaki also established the Export Promotion Council to promote exports, which helped to diversify Kenya's export base and reduce its dependence on a few key commodities.

2.       Musalia Mudavadi (1993-1997)

Musalia Mudavadi was Minister of Trade and Industry from 1993 to 1997. Mudavadi played a key role in the liberalization of Kenya's economy, which involved reducing trade barriers and opening up the market to foreign competition. This led to an increase in foreign investment and helped to create a more dynamic and competitive business environment. Mudavadi also established the Kenya Bureau of Standards to promote quality control in trade, which helped to improve the quality of Kenyan exports and boost their competitiveness.

3.       Mukhisa Kituyi (2003-2008)

Mukhisa Kituyi served as Minister of Trade and Industry from 2003 to 2008. During his tenure, Kituyi introduced policies aimed at promoting regional integration and trade, particularly through the East African Community. This helped to increase intra-regional trade and reduce trade barriers between Kenya and its neighbors. Kituyi also established the Kenya Trade Network Agency (KenTrade) to modernize trade processes and reduce the time and cost of doing business. This helped to improve Kenya's competitiveness and make it a more attractive destination for investment.

4.       Uhuru Kenyatta (2009-2013)

Uhuru Kenyatta, who is currently Kenya's President, served as Minister of Trade from 2009 to 2013. Kenyatta introduced a number of reforms aimed at improving the business environment and attracting foreign investment. This included streamlining the process of starting a business and reducing the time it took to register a company. Kenyatta also worked to improve Kenya's trade relations with other countries, particularly China, which is now Kenya's largest trading partner.

5.       Adan Mohamed (2013-2018)

Adan Mohamed served as Cabinet Secretary for Industrialization and Enterprise Development from 2013 to 2018. Mohamed played a key role in negotiating the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), which aims to create a single market for goods and services across Africa. Mohamed also worked to improve trade relations with other countries, particularly China, and played a key role in negotiating the China-Kenya Economic and Trade Cooperation Agreement. Mohamed's efforts helped to boost Kenya's exports and improve its position in the global market.

6.       Peter Munya (2018-2019)

Peter Munya served as Cabinet Secretary for Industry, Trade and Cooperatives from 2018 to 2019. Munya worked to improve the quality and safety of Kenyan exports, particularly in the agriculture sector. This helped to improve Kenya's competitiveness in international markets and increase demand for Kenyan goods.

 

 

7.       Betty Maina (2020-2022): Maina has focused on promoting trade and investment, particularly through the development of special economic zones and industrial parks. She has also played a key role in negotiating trade agreements with other countries, such as the United Kingdom.

 

 

8.       Moses Kuria (2022-present)  the recently appointed cabinet secretary is looking forward to leave a legacy in the number of investment done in the country.

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