National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged Kenya’s private sector to move beyond observation and actively participate in the law-making process, emphasizing that shaping legislation is not the sole responsibility of Parliament.
The remarks were made during Wetang’ula’s closing address at the 8th KEPSA-Speaker’s Roundtable in Mombasa, which brought together business leaders, captains of industry, and parliamentary committee chairs for two days of discussions.
“Legislation is not the preserve of Parliament. In the process of developing laws, we should work together to support this country,” Wetang’ula said, underscoring the importance of collaborative governance between lawmakers and industry stakeholders.
He referenced the public debate on the expansion of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), noting that the private sector’s perspectives were largely absent from the discussion.
“I have reviewed the documents, and I did not see the issues circulating publicly, but the private sector remained largely silent,” Wetang’ula remarked. “You could have contributed to public understanding, especially as we seek to upgrade our airport to remain competitive.”
The Speaker encouraged parliamentary committees to maintain regular engagement with KEPSA and other industry players, pledging his support for such initiatives. He also urged KEPSA to ensure that its feedback and critiques are evidence-based, to drive actionable outcomes.
The closed-door discussions at the roundtable focused on key economic issues, including lowering the cost of doing business, enhancing productivity in the age of Artificial Intelligence, and the role of governance in national development.
In his closing remarks, Wetang’ula reiterated the need for shared responsibility and trust in government efforts. “Let us bake the cake together, let us eat the cake together. This country has great potential, but we must embrace change,” he said, warning that distractions could slow progress on national priorities.
