KEPSA has come a long way since its establishment in 2003, playing an integral role in
the development of the Private Sector in Kenya. Through the years our focus has been
to realize the aspiration for a better business environment in Kenya through policy and
regulatory reforms.
Despite our success , the events leading to the 2007/2008 post-election violence, when
the wider social economic and political undertones boiled up to the surface resulting in
politically instigated violence, struck an unpleasant reality.The Private Sector learnt a
hard lesson that we had a wider role to play in the grand scheme of things and that our
interventions must not be limited to a focus on business.
The Private Sector proactively stepped in under the umbrella of KEPSA to help resolve
the issues around the disputed election. Our efforts contributed towards the adoption
of the National Accord and subsequent formation of the coalition government. Through
the Mkenya Daima project we as the Private Sector continued to play our role in
national cohesion during the 2013 general election averting a recurrence of the post-poll
violence.
Through the Kenyan Youth Empowerment Project (KYEP) we continue to address the
issue of youth employability having equipped 19,532 young people with various skills
ranging from life skills to entrepreneurial skills.
KEPSA needs to take up a more proactive role in the creation and implementation of
social interventions aimed at meeting the social economic challenges facing the country.
However we need to ensure that the organization remains focused on its core mandate
as the apex body of the Private Sector. With this in mind we saw the need to establish
the KEPSA Foundation.
Whereas KEPSA focuses on public-private dialogue engagementes towards addressing
policy and legislative issues on behalf of its members, the Foundation will focus on
other areas that are important in improving the business environment. The Foundation
will implement social projects that affect national development and which have a
specific impact on vulnerable groups such as the tyouth and women.
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The primary beneficiaries of the Foundation will, therefore, be vulnerable members of
the Kenyan society within the context of the Private Sector’ s engagement in promoting
Kenya’ s economic development and in line with the organizational objectives of the
Kenya Private Sector Alliance. KEPSA will benefit from the Foundation as a source of
alternative income derived from its assets which will support organizational financial
stability.
In view of the strong social imprint informing the work of the Foundation, it is
considered necessary to establish means of raising and mobilizing resources in support
of the Foundation’ s mandate. Among other areas, the Foundation will
consider development, leasing or purchase of office premises for purposes of raising
new revenue streams, supporting programme and operational costs besides assisting
secure KEPSA’ s sustainability
Taking into account its charitable and not-for-profit status, the KEPSA Foundation will
be steered and led by Trustees drawn from persons who have served KEPSA in the past
(including currently) in responsible roles and positions.
The Trustees thus represent a cadre of persons who understand KEPSA’ s ethos and
values and able to ensure that the Foundation reflects such ethos and values. The
Trustees have a primary duty of ensuring that the Foundation is appropriately
managed in line with its objects and in accordance with its mandate. The values of good
governance in the running and management of the Foundation will be a cardinal
obligation and responsibility vested in the Trustees. Further, the trustees will ensure
compliance with relevant legal and statutory requirements governing the operations of
the Foundation.
The following are the Trustees of the Foundation
1. Amb. Dennis Awori- Chairman
2. Arch. Lee Karuri- Vice Chairman
3. Ms. Carole Kariuki- Secretary
4. Eng. Patrick Obath- Treasurer
5. Dr. Manu Chandaria
6. Dr. Joe Wanjui
7. Mr. Polycarp Igathe
8. Mr. Bill Lay
9. Mr. Arun Devani
10. Ms. Gloria Ndekei
Following the establishment of the KEPSA Foundation, the Kenya Youth Empowerment
Projects and MKenya Daima will run through the Foundation. These two projects are
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important KEPSA premier social interventions. In addition to the two projects the
Foundation is currently considering a potential rollout three additional projects namely;
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Employers’ Challenge for Youth Employability which is aims at mobilizing
employers to increase the number of jobs on offer to the youth in order to
develop a talent pool and raise youth awareness on available opportunities and
resources.
Corporate Social Investment, which will be, based on the post Millennium
Development Goals concept of ‘ Sustainable Development Goals’ SDG’ s with the
aim of creating community based social economic initiatives.
MVO Netherlands Project - this is a partnership with MVO Netherlands aims at
working with KEPSA to establish an Inclusive Business Center.
It now gives me great pleasure to present to you the symbolic Logo of the KEPSA
Foundation as we embark on the next phase of KEPSA’ s development.
Thank You.
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