NAIROBI, KENYA, JAN 17 — The Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) has led the country’s private sector in condemning Tuesday’s attack on the Dusit Hotel complex in the capital Nairobi.
The terrorist attack has left at least fifteen innocent people dead and several others injured.
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“KEPSA joins the rest of Kenya, and indeed the world, in mourning, following the atrocious act of violence. We at KEPSA do recognize that the complex attacked is host to several institutions, among them KEPSA members, both local and international, directly or through associations. They employ many and this has caused unnecessary anxiety among organizations operating in the area,” Kepsa leadership said in a statement.
The Kenyan private sector, from giant firms to the corner kiosk, is the engine of Kenya’s economy and the foundation of the country’s hopes and dreams for the future, the private sector lobby group has noted.
“In the context of the global economy, Kenya has made great strides, making us the envy of many countries of our economic rank,” it said.
The private sector generates jobs, taxes to pay for public health services, and to help meet the costs of education.
It generates the resources critical to making devolution work, thus helping realise the long-cherished dream of many Kenyans to take control of their destinies through the devolved system.
“Attacking the private sector through terrorism imperils all our futures. KEPSA objects to any acts of intimidation by external forces, in the hope that other Kenyans will be frightened to stand by their own,” the secretariat said.
It has lauded the swift movement by various security forces in their response to the incident evacuating hundreds to safety. The alliance has also praised civilians who showed up to feed the fighting teams.
“We acknowledge efforts put in by the authorities to ensure that business in the other parts of the country continues as usual and even for giving Kenyans the assurance that the situation is contained. We wish the injured quick recovery even as we continue to pray for Kenya. We believe that our country will arise out of this even stronger,” the alliance said.
The Kenya Private Sector Alliance is a limited liability membership organisation registered in 2003 as the apex body of private sector in Kenya.
It’s mandate is the voice of private sector in Kenya hence an inclusive and proactive body that provides an institutional framework for government and private sector partnership; a facilitator for the private sector in public policy dialogue and an umbrella policy and networking institution for the private sector in Kenya.
It promotes public-private sector partnerships in addressing the challenges of wealth and employment creation in Kenya
