By Shaban Omar
The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry has raised concern over the rising political temperatures in the country, cautioning that the increasingly early campaign activities could undermine business stability ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kwale KNCCI chair Abubakar Mkumbuka said the chamber has already received complaints from traders worried about disruptions linked to heightened political activity.
Mkumbuka noted that some business owners have reported incidents of insecurity and interference with their day-to-day operations as politicians embark on premature campaign trails across various regions.
βThe complaints we are receiving indicate that business people fear the ongoing political activities may bring more harm than good to their enterprises,β he said.
He urged political leaders to exercise restraint and prioritize a peaceful environment that safeguards commerce, warning that prolonged political agitation could erode investor confidence and slow down economic growth.
Mkumbuka stressed that the politicians should respect the business environment, noting that the sector plays a crucial role in revenue generation and national development.
He emphasized that traders are at the centre of economic growth, driving employment creation and contributing taxes that sustain government operations.
βBusiness people are the ones who push the economy forward, create jobs, and pay the taxes through which politicians earn their salaries,β he said.
The KNCCI Kwale chair appealed to leaders to slow down their political activities, insisting that the business community is not interested in chaos but in a peaceful and conducive environment that allows enterprises to thrive.
He added that a stable climate is essential for both small traders and large investors, warning that persistent political agitation could discourage economic activity in the county and across the country.
Mkumbuka further urged the Ministry of Interior and National Administration to guarantee the safety of business owners before, during and after the 2027 General Election.
He said the chamber is already making plans to engage security agencies at both the national and county levels to ensure traders and their property are adequately protected.
βPlans are underway to hold talks with security authorities so they can safeguard our businesses even as they ensure politicians conduct themselves in a peaceful and respectful manner,β he said.
He added that security and political discipline are essential to maintaining stability during the electioneering period, warning that any laxity could expose traders to unnecessary risks.
He made the remarks after attending an Electronic Government Procurement (EGP) training conducted by the National Treasury in partnership with the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Kenya School of Government in Matuga Sub-county, within Kwale County.
Procurement specialist in the National Treasuryβs EGP unit, Doris Ngβangβa, said the training aims to equip business suppliers and investors with the skills needed to navigate the digital procurement system.
Ngβangβa explained that participants were taken through EGP profile registration, how to access and interpret procurement plans, how to identify available tenders, and how to participate in bidding processes through webinars.
She noted that digitising procurement is expected to enhance transparency, efficiency and inclusivity, especially for small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to do business with the government.
βOnce a supplier is well informed, they are able to participate effectively in the system. This ensures we obtain value for taxpayersβ money because competition is enhanced, allowing the best bids to emerge in the entire procurement process,β she said.
