Kenya Association of Manufacturers Appoints Hitesh Mediratta as New Board Chairperson

The Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has appointed Hitesh Mediratta as the new Chairperson of its Board, succeeding Jane Karuku, whose tenure has come to an end.

The leadership transition was announced on Wednesday as the Association ushered in a new administration focused on strengthening Kenya’s manufacturing sector amid ongoing policy, taxation, and competitiveness challenges.

Mediratta takes over the helm after serving on the KAM Board since June 2020 and holding the position of Vice Chairperson for the past two years.

In his inaugural address, he pledged to build on the Association’s advocacy agenda and work towards creating an enabling business environment that supports manufacturers across the country.

“It is a great honour to serve as Chairperson of the KAM Board. Having served in the KAM Board since June 2020 and as Vice Chair over the last two years, I have witnessed the resilience and innovation of Kenya’s manufacturing sector. My priority will be to build on KAM’s strong legacy of advocacy by creating a level playing field that enhances the competitiveness of Kenyan manufacturers, both locally and globally. We will continue to champion equitable value chains where all manufacturers have an opportunity to compete, grow, and thrive, while advancing practical, evidence-based solutions to longstanding policy and tax challenges,” Mediratta said.

KAM Leader Highlights New Manufacturing Focus

The new KAM Board Chair stated that his administration would emphasize making the manufacturing sector of Kenya more competitive.

He highlighted the need for fair value chain systems and evidence-based policy measures that could be implemented to address the prevailing issues with taxes and regulations that affect manufacturers.

Mediratta also emphasized the need to ensure a level playing field for manufacturers of different sizes to compete effectively in domestic and foreign markets.

According to Mediratta, developing Kenya’s industrial sector would require cooperation from both industry and the policy-making side.

The appointment brings an expert from the manufacturing sector to the KAM board.

Mediratta is the Managing Director of PG Bison Kenya Limited, one of the top furniture manufacturers, a role he has held for the past 21 years.

At the Association, Mediratta has previously served as Chairperson of the Timber and Furniture Sector and as Vice-Chairman of the Trade and Tax Board Committee, and has been a KAM Board Member since 2020.

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Jane Karuku to Remain, Advisory Member

Jane Karuku, outgoing chairperson and Group Managing Director of East African Breweries PLC (EABL), will be serving in an Ex-Officio capacity on the Board of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM).

She will offer strategic advice to the Association’s management through this role.

Karuku observed that there were great opportunities in the manufacturing sector, notwithstanding the challenges being experienced.

She highlighted four strategic pillars that guided the Association during her leadership: global competitiveness, agriculture for industry, export-led growth, and the growth and development of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

Karuku said these pillars have continued to shape KAM’s advocacy agenda by promoting industrial expansion, increasing exports and strengthening linkages between agriculture and manufacturing to drive economic growth.

“The opportunity that is there is for us to add value, so that we export more finished goods and not just raw materials. There is so much potential in value addition and in using our local raw materials to grow manufacturing in this country,” Karuku said.

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Mary-Ann Musangi Named Vice Chairperson

KAM also announced the appointment of Mary-Ann Musangi, the Managing Director of Haco Industries Kenya Limited, as the Board’s Vice Chairperson.

Musangi currently chairs KAM’s Women in Manufacturing (WIM) Programme, where she has spearheaded initiatives promoting women’s leadership, mentorship, skills development, and increased participation in Kenya’s manufacturing sector.

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Bharat Shah, a director of the KAM Board, together with KAM CEO Tobias Alando at the National Assembly building during the discussion of 433% Excise Duty on industrial sugar. PHOTO/ KAM