The Turkana Chamber of Commerce and the International Labour Organization (ILO) PROSPECTS Programme have begun talks with the County Assembly to speed up legislation and policies that support private sector growth.
A delegation comprising officials from the two organisations paid a courtesy visit yesterday on Assembly Speaker Charles Lokiyoto.
The meeting sought to identify priority bills and policies affecting businesses, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and to find ways of supporting their passage through the legislative process.
Speaker Lokiyoto acknowledged the Chamber’s role in building the capacity of the business community and promoting an enabling business environment.
He commended its advocacy for business-supportive legislation but noted that financial constraints are hampering the Assembly’s work to finalise and enact pending bills and policies.
ILO PROSPECTS Enterprise Coordinator Lilyanne Ndinda said close collaboration between the Chamber and the Assembly was key to advancing policies that support enterprise development and local business growth.
She called on the Chamber and relevant Assembly committees to jointly identify and prioritise pending bills and policies that directly affect businesses.
Proposed priorities include the Turkana Investment and Cooperation Bill, initiated in 2023; the Turkana ICT Policy; and the harmonisation of the Local Content Bill with the national local content policy.
Chamber County Executive Officer Paul Erukudi expressed confidence in the partnership, citing earlier joint efforts with the Assembly to sensitise the business community on relevant policies and bills.
Also present were Trade and ICT Committee Chairperson Mike Ewoi, Lobei/Kotaruk MCA Anaclet Lemuya, who sits on the same committee, and the Assembly technical staff.
The Chamber and ILO PROSPECTS say the collaboration will strengthen private sector participation in policymaking and support legislation that promotes enterprise development and sustainable business growth across Turkana County.
By Peter Gitonga
