Chambers boss hits back at rivals’ claims

The Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) chairman has dismissed claims that he has mismanaged the organisation.

Responding to his competitors’ allegations ahead of KNCCI elections slated for Thursday, Kiprono Kittony said his record at the private sector trade agency spoke for itself.

In a press statement released yesterday, Mr Kittony, who is looking to defend his seat, asked his competitors to conduct their campaigns with more decorum.

Aspirants have been on the campaign trail, seeking support from the organisation’s voters. Ten delegates from each of the 47 counties will meet in Nairobi to elect new officials.

“Under my leadership, the chamber has been revived. We launched and rebranded it in 2014, restored issuance of certificates of origin, partnered with the Government in economic diplomacy and advocated for SMEs aggressively. The chamber also created trustees, who are responsible for all chamber assets,” said Kittony.

He took issue with the claim that there had been mismanagement of chamber funds and that no returns were made in compliance with the Companies Act.

Kittony promised to present an audit report to prove otherwise at KNCCI’s annual general meeting on Thursday, along with a “full report on our achievements”.

Selling attributes

He singled out claims made by Shariff Ahmed, who is also gunning for the chairman’s seat, and Laban Onditi, who is Kittony’s current deputy but who has teamed up with Mr Ahmed.

“[Their] reports are false and merely a desperate attempt to woo the delegates through mudslinging,” he said.

“My campaign manifesto clearly spells out the intention that the next phase of my leadership will be focused on the counties. I urge all candidates to concentrate on selling their attributes instead of resorting to mudslinging.”

In April, the chamber launched its strategic plan 2016-2018, which is aimed at highlighting the organisation’s efforts and commitment to spearheading and implementing key policies that will ease ways of doing business in the country.