It’s time to listen to our firms’ cry for protection

It is not right for local firms to be reduced to the level of begging the Government for protection from unfair foreign competition in public procurement whether the projects in question are locally or foreign funded.

Principal Secretary for Industry and Enterprise Development Julius Korir (centre) is shown finished electrical cables by East African Cables Group Technical Manager David Mwangi as the firm’s chairman Zephania Mbugua (left) looks on. In the tour, the PS promised that the Government will enforce the Buy Kenya Build Kenya policy. [PHOTO: JENIPHER WACHIE/STANDARD]

After all, Kenyan taxpayers will still have to repay the foreign funds unless they were disbursed as grants. The Kenya Manufacturers Association (KAM), earlier this week, decried lack of enforcement of the local content clause under the Public Procurement and Disposal Act (PPDA). The neglect favours foreign firms.