Companies

Private sector chiefs lobby MPs to pass friendly laws

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MPs during the opening of the 12th Parliament. FILE PHOTO | NMG

Private sector executives have petitioned Parliament to amend a number of laws that have continued to hinder business transactions in the country and the region.

The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) wants the 12th Parliament to fast-track the enactment of crucial Bills that the private sector has been pushing for and which have been pending.

“Some of the laws that are in need of fast-tracking include the Energy Bill. To ensure the legislation process takes a shorter time, the private sector asks for increased collaboration and good relations between both Houses (the Senate and the National Assembly),” Rita Kavashe, the Kepsa vice chairperson said at an induction of MPs held in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Ms Kavashe said the main challenge facing the East African Community (EAC) is the trade dispute between the partner states which must be removed to realise full integration and allow seamless flow of goods, services, labour and capital between the borders.

“As we engage with other countries such as Tanzania to remove the restrictions imposed against Kenya in the spirit of the Common Market Protocol, a number of Kenyan laws have been reported to have non-conforming clauses.

‘‘Some do not recognise EAC as local as in the case of the local content policy,’’ she said.