A recent report commissioned by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers in partnership with Suppliers Association of Kenya and Retail Trade Association of Kenya, has been hailed as key in assisting the sector in regulation.
The prompt payment report is an overview of the retail sector aimed at highlighting current challenges and proposing measures to address them.
Speaking while receiving the report, Kenya’s Principal Secretary State Department of Trade Dr Chris Kiptoo reiterated the position of government as a regulator to ensure that all involved in the sector are on a level playing field.
“The findings in this report will assist us to develop efficient ways to ensure fair play in the market to erase or eradicate any tendencies towards unhealthy dominance. This sector was left unregulated for a while, and we want to ensure that there is a code of practice all players can adhere to.” said Dr Chris Kiptoo.
Manufacturers and suppliers had previously raised concerns about the delay in payments by retailers. They claimed that about $400 million was still unpaid to them, and they were seeking assistance to handle the crisis.
KAM Chairperson Flora Mutahi said that SMEs were the most affected by the delayed payments. She added, “Manufacturers contribute 20 per cent to the GDP. Our cash flows have been threatened and it has limited our innovations. For many manufactures the question is, why should I manufacture when I am not getting paid.”
The Suppliers Association of Kenya represented by their CEO Ishmael Bett, emphasized the need to have a strong regulator to enforce prompt payment within the retail sector. He said, “We welcome the idea of the government stepping in as a regulator; it will be a win-win situation for all of us.
The challenge for suppliers has been in trying to understand why there are cash flow issues, whereas goods in the supermarket are bought in cash.”
The Ministry of Industry, Trade & Cooperatives has promised to apply International Best Practice to the development of the code to guide the sector and constitute a tribunal to handle disputes within the sector.
The task force will further select a board to ensure that the code is adhered to. The report will be presented to the Cabinet Secretary for further consultation and approval.
