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The battle for the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) presidency has intensified ahead of June 8 elections.

Incumbent Richard Ngatia is already getting crucial support with endorsements from Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula. This comes after Ngatia, accompanied by his running mate Abdulwalli Shariff and officials from Western, made a courtesy call on Mudavadi and Wetang’ula last week.

“During our visit, the Prime Cabinet Secretary showed his support for the team. All the elected chairmen from the region along with several regional chamber leaders were present to witness this endorsement,” Ngatia said in a statement.

Leaders present during the visit included John Shimaka, Sylvanus Abungu, Dr Billy Nyonze, Charles Omutany, Martin Waliaula, Peter Juma, all from Kakamega, Busia, Bungoma and Vihiga.

“As a group, we are honoured to have received this endorsement and appreciate the Prime Cabinet Secretary’s recognition of our efforts. We will continue to work diligently to support our region and promote its growth and development,” Ngatia said.

Ngatia has emerged the frontrunner after bagging support of most branches in Central, Western and Eastern regions as well as Nairobi and Coast while his challenger, Dr Erick Rutto, the current vice-president is enjoying the backing of his North Rift and South Rift backyard.

Imports goods

Ngatia has been endorsed by delegates from five counties in the Mt Kenya region, 14 counties in the Lake Region Economic Bloc (LREB) and Metropolitan areas of Nairobi, Narok and Kajiado.

The LREB counties met in Kisumu to declare their support for Ngatia’s re-election while Central Kenya delegates met on April 28 for the same. 

Meanwhile, Rutto separately promised to bring in technology and resources to boost value addition of agricultural produce. 

Rutto, speaking in Murang’a after he met KNCCI directors from Central region on Friday explained that the country has relied much on imported manufactured products processed from produce exported out of the country.

 He promised that if he ascends to the leadership of KNCCI, he will bring in investors and seek subsidies from National and county governments among other stakeholders to support farmers and Small and Medium Enterprises venture in value addition.

 “The country currently imports goods worth more than Sh2.1 trillion annually and exports goods worth about Sh700 billion. As a chamber we are aspiring to promote industrialisation thus we increase our exports and create employment for our young people,” he said.

 Rutto also observed that it is time for the chamber to support businesses and industry at grassroots. He said his target is to support and boost SMEs, which have not recovered from impacts of Covid.

 “Some SMEs have not recovered from the effects of Covid and as a chamber we have signed many agreements with various organisations and financial institutions that will provide cheap credit facilities to our business people,” he said. “We are also inviting big manufacturing firms to set up industries at grassroots to promote value addition of our produce. This will increase farmers’ earnings.”

Rutto’s meeting came a day after Ngatia met KNCCI directors from Central at Sagana in Kirinyaga, as they intensify campaigns before the national elections.

Additional reporting by KNA