Embrace innovation to spur the development of manufacturing sector

Ken Gichinga

The ‘Big Four Agenda’ has effectively become a household name in Kenya. Every player in the economy is now being encouraged to align his or her processes with it. For those in the manufacturing sector, this new economic direction couldn’t have come any sooner. After many years of decrying a lack of intense focus from the government, the manufacturing fraternity is firmly focused on tapping into this new-found attention from the government.

Indeed, the latest statistics point to tough times in the world of manufacturing. The latest Central Bank of Kenya report shows that the sector witnessed the highest increase in non-performing loans, by nearly Sh6.4 billion owing to a tough operating environment. More often that not, the blame is directed at the high costs of production which make it difficult to compete with other manufacturing countries.