MSMEs
After The Gavel : Why MSME ’ s In Kenya Should Reap Benefits Of International Accords
By Muthoni Njogu
The year 2015 ushered in an unprecedented global focus on fast tracking efforts to secure a healthy planet and build resilient communities . This was necessitated by various factors including human influence on the climate and the earth ’ s temperature , increased exposure to hazards amongst other factors . The focus culminated in the adoption of various international accords negotiated and adopted through multilateral mechanisms , what was commonly referred to as the post 2015 development agenda : an ambitious and transformative agenda .
These international accords include the Sustainable Development Goals ( SDG ’ s ), the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 , Addis Ababa Action Agenda , Paris Agreement on Climate Change , the New Urban Agenda , and the Agenda for Humanity . Each of these accords were specific in their objectives geared toward comprehensively addressing or mitigating for development .
However , for these accords to achieve the expected results , a seamless coherence in their implementation at all levels is critical i . e ., international , national , and local . In the case of Kenya , the evidence of the accords implementation and action should be experienced right to the county ward level . Equally all stakeholders from the private and public sectors including Micro , Small , and Medium Entrepreneurs ’( MSMEs ), led by governments have a decisive role to play , and a shared vision in the implementation . There is no doubt that all these international accords have an equal importance in shaping the future of the planet and its people starting at the county local ward level and building out globally .
Kenya as a member of the United Nations ( UN ) demonstrated leadership at various stages leadingup to the adoption of these post-2015 accords . This included co-chairing the UN General Assembly Open Working Group on Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) mandated to develop a set of sustainable development goals . The seventeen goals include SDG 7 ( Affordable and Clean Energy ), SDG 9 ( Industry , Innovation and Infrastructure , SDG 13 ( Climate Action ).
Kenya was part of the 2017 voluntary national review of the high-level political forum on sustainable development and was involved in the negotiations leading up to the adoption of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015-2030 . Finally , and most recently in November 2021 , Kenya was appointed as the new Chair of the Africa Regional Platform for Disaster Risk Reduction ( DRR ).
Evidently Kenya ’ s investment in these accords demonstrates its commitment and willingness to contribute to resilience building , a resilient people , and a resilient planet . Resilience as defined by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction is broadly understood to mean the ability of a system , community or society exposed to hazards to resist , absorb , accommodate , adapt to , transform , and recover from the effects of a hazard in a timely and efficient manner , including through the preservation and restoration of its essential basic structures and functions through risk management .
However , for Kenya to benefit and contribute to this ambitious global agenda , anchored in goals and targets against which governments will monitor and report , a solid and committed partnership framework is a prerequisite . Rigorous strategic partnership engagement with all stakeholders including the private sector , philanthropic foundations , civil-society , academia , faith-based organizations , and the science community is necessary .
The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic and the effects thereafter further demonstrated the need to recall our commitments as a country to these international accords . It is even clearer that MSME ’ s , as essential players in the economy , will need to step-up actions towards contributing and actualizing to the achievement of the post-2015 development agenda . Indeed , MSME ’ s have a shared role in action towards achieving the goals and targets anchored in the various international accords .
Pragmatic ways MSMEs in Kenya could step up action
In practical terms MSME ’ s as the cog wheels of the Kenyan economy ( contributes 40 % of GDP ) should work towards building their capacity to formulate industry and business sustainability thus directly contributing to the achievement of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals ( SDGs ) and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change . The international organizations have provided enabling events , for example the SDG Investment Fair , which aims to mobilize financing for development and scale up private sector participation in the SDGs though investments in developing countries . MSME ’ s participation in such events will bring forth and contribute towards reducing and absorbing disaster shocks and impact , or securing overall improved health etc .
In the same breath MSME ’ s in manufacturing should and can explore options of sourcing for
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