The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has named Sachen Gudka as the new chairman to serve for a period of two years. The Association has also appointed Mucai Kunyiha as the vice chairman, who will serve for the same duration of time.
Mr Gudka was previously the vice chairperson of KAM and he has also served on the Association’s board as a director for seven years. The new chairman is an economist and a certified accountant.
Mr Gudka brings onboard expertise in financial and investment management and vast knowledge of manufacturing trends thanks to his chief executive roles at Skanem Interlabels and Rodwell Press Limited.
Speaking at KAM’s head office, Mr Gudka said:
“This is a critical year for the manufacturing sector. We continue to inform critical policy development towards the realization of the Big 4 Agenda, as well as inclusive and broad-based economic growth across the country.”
“Similarly, advancing the KAM TVET program to build industry skills, will be a key focus area owing to its role in producing a highly qualified workforce who will employ their knowledge towards developing internationally competitive products for national and global markets,” he added.
Gudka has replaced Flora Mutahi who was keen on fighting illicit trade, establishing a ‘Women in Manufacturing Caucus,’ promoting exports, and offering linkages and subcontracting opportunities for SMEs.
Ms Mutahi was recently named the chair of the Anti-Counterfeit Agency and she will remain as an Ex-Officio member of the KAM board.
The New Vice Chairman
Mucai Kunyiha, the new vice chairman of KAM, is a lawyer and the Group Managing Director of Kzanaka Ltd. Kzanaka is a holding company that comprises of other companies such as Cooper K-Brands Ltd, Analabs Ltd, Mashiara Park and Qaribu Inn.
Mr Kunyiha has been a director on the KAM board for five years and has in the last five months been spearheading the management of plastic bottle waste in the country by seeking a partnership with the government and other stakeholders.
Mr Kunyiha said: “The success of the Big 4 Pillars rests on a thriving manufacturing sector. It is therefore important that we focus on the promotion and nurturing of local industries, mainly by curtailing the current import trend and focusing on reducing our trade deficit as a country. The envisioned growth of 15 per cent contribution to the GDP is possible only if we commit to this.”
