New deal struck in investors election

Two contenders for top leadership of the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) have stepped down.

This paves the way for Richard Ngatia (pictured) to succeed Kiprono Kittony.

Ngatia will formally take office during the Annual General Meeting of KNCCI scheduled for early next month at the Bomas of Kenya.

The elections, slated for June 8, will now be used to fill other positions, including two vice presidents and 10 national regional directors.

James Mureu, the outgoing vice chairman, and businessman, Abdullatif Shariff announced their decision to bow out of the race, following an agreement in the interest of keeping the lobby united.

Yesterday’s consensus came a month after a similar deal was reached to have businessman Jimnah Mbaru head the Nairobi Chapter of the KNCCI.

It was reached after Mr Kiprono sat down the three contestants in the height of intense campaigns for the top office.

Electioneering challenges

Kiprono said the decision was a demonstration that the Chamber has come of age.

“This decision saves the KNCCI the significant challenges associated with electioneering,” he said.

He retires after seven years at the helm. He came in first as a caretaker boss procured by the State following bitter rivalry between leadership factions and was elected in the two subsequent elections.

Ngatia, who will now be referred to as  'President' of the chamber following amendments to the title “chairman,” promised to accommodate the duo who stepped down for him.

“KNCCI is a very big house with big rooms that can accommodate everyone,” he said.

Top among his plans for the chamber is to create linkages between the KNCCI and its equivalents across the world and to open new opportunities for trade, especially in export markets.

Ngatia takes over at a time businesses are facing hurdles such as cheap imports, laborious pre-import inspection and payment delays.