Global Compact Network Kenya

Global Compact Network Kenya Building sustainable and competitive businesses

20/04/2026

The recent Business and Human Rights workshop in Nairobi is part of Global Compact Network Kenya’s broader work to equip companies with the clarity, frameworks and partnerships needed to embed human rights in strategy, operations and reporting.

Across our programmes, we bring together business leaders, policy actors and practitioners for interactive discussions, practical insights and peer learning that help them navigate evolving due diligence expectations and align with global and national standards on business and human rights, as we equip companies to act, catalyze collective action and advance the business case for responsible, sustainable business.

Looking ahead, Global Compact Network Kenya will continue to build on this momentum by deepening engagement with companies, expanding opportunities for collaboration and driving ambitious action on business and human rights within Kenya’s private sector.

Last Friday, our Executive Director, Judy Njino, joined leaders, partners and trailblazing women in industry at the 2026...
20/04/2026

Last Friday, our Executive Director, Judy Njino, joined leaders, partners and trailblazing women in industry at the 2026 Women in Manufacturing Awards Gala, hosted by the Kenya Association of Manufacturers.

The evening was a powerful reminder that women are not only participating in Kenya’s manufacturing sector; they are shaping its future.

In her remarks, Judy emphasized that in a world defined by overlapping crises, sustainability offers a pathway to future proof business. It is a practical strategy for building resilience and long-term business growth, especially for women-led enterprises and SMEs.

As a long-standing partner of KAM, Global Compact Network Kenya remains committed to supporting women in manufacturing to strengthen ESG performance now a pre-requisite to access markets, attract capital and enhancing long-term competitiveness.

Congratulations to all the nominees, winners and women powering Kenya’s industrial transformation.

Inequality has long been treated as a social problem. The economy is now calling it something else: a market failure.The...
16/04/2026

Inequality has long been treated as a social problem. The economy is now calling it something else: a market failure.

The richest 1% of Kenyans hold 78% of the country's financial wealth. Food prices are 50% higher than in 2020. Workers are 11% poorer in real terms. 85% of employment is informal. Women earn KES 65 for every KES 100 a man earns. These are not development statistics. They are the conditions under which Kenyan businesses are trying to grow.

On 31 March 2026, Global Compact Network Kenya, in partnership with Oxfam Kenya, convened a CEO Leaders Dialogue on the theme: Bridging the Divide: The Business Risks and Responsibilities of Rising Inequality. The data anchoring the conversation was drawn from the Oxfam Kenya Inequality Report. The question at the center of the room was direct: what does rising inequality mean for business, and what is the private sector's role in building an inclusive economy for shared prosperity.

Executive Director Judy Njino opened by naming inequality as simultaneously a material business risk and a commercial opportunity, one that touches demand, talent, supply chains, and the operating environment in which every company works. Absa Bank Kenya CEO Abdi Mohamed deepened that frame in his keynote, making the case that wealth concentration shrinks the addressable market, weakens demand cycles, and puts entire value chains under pressure.

The panel brought it closer to ground. Martin Ochien'g of SASINI PLC maintained that paying a living wage is a business imperative, not an act of goodwill. Mercy Mugure of Adept Technologies Kenya spoke to how digital transformation holds genuine equalizing potential, expanding opportunity across geography and background while Dr. Emmanuel Nzai of the Kenya Vision 2030 Delivery Board pressed on the necessity of private and public sector alignment. Anthony Wainaina of Ponty Pridd Holdings Ltd shared the SHE Delivers story: women trained in driving, logistics, mechanics and ICT, with 56% of the inaugural class securing formal employment. He highlighted the significant potential to scale such impact through strategic partnerships, bringing together industry, development partners, and government to expand opportunities for women across the transport and logistics sector.

The dialogue did not end with diagnosis. Six actions emerged for Kenya's private sector: paying a living wage, strengthening supply chains, closing the youth employment gap, investing in women's economic participation, advocating for accountable governance, and embedding sustainability in operations.

Global Compact Network Kenya exists to walk this journey with business, providing the frameworks, the peer network, and the accountability structures that turn commitments into practice. If your organization is ready to move from conversation to action, the network is ready to support you.

Disability inclusion is not a favour to a few. It is about fair work, equal opportunity and recognising the value that p...
13/04/2026

Disability inclusion is not a favour to a few. It is about fair work, equal opportunity and recognising the value that persons with disabilities bring to every business.

Global Compact Network Kenya and Kilimanjaro Blind Trust Africa invite participants and the wider business community to a virtual session that will move policy commitments into concrete workplace action.

Kenya’s Persons with Disabilities Act 2025 sets out clear expectations for employers on non discrimination, reasonable accommodation and inclusive workplace policies, and encourages companies to intentionally increase the representation of persons with disabilities in their workforce.

The webinar will share practical guidance on inclusive recruitment, retention, accessibility, incentives such as tax relief and how companies can start or deepen their disability inclusion journey.

Friday 17 April 2026
10:00 AM – 11:30 AM EAT
Register here: https://tinyurl.com/AdvancingDisabilityInclusion

Ocean Centres Kenya, hosted by Global Compact Network Kenya, convened a hybrid culminating workshop yesterday in Diani, ...
09/04/2026

Ocean Centres Kenya, hosted by Global Compact Network Kenya, convened a hybrid culminating workshop yesterday in Diani, Kwale County, bringing together coastal leaders, regulators, businesses and community voices to reimagine a safer, more inclusive and sustainable blue economy for the region.

In her opening remarks, Judy Njino, Executive Director of Global Compact Network Kenya, emphasized that Diani’s blue economy is ultimately about people whose daily lives depend on the ocean, and called for practical collaboration to make local livelihoods safer, greener and more resilient. Olive Mumbo, Country Lead for Ocean Centres Kenya, set out the global Ocean Centres vision and how locally led, multi stakeholder platforms in Kenya can turn evidence on safety risks into concrete change across fishing, aquaculture, shipping, ports, finance and offshore renewables.

Hezron Ngeti Mwakitele, Fisheries Officer at the Kwale County Government, shared on the ground insights from Diani’s fisheries and aquaculture sector, highlighting both the pressure on marine resources and the opportunity to unlock safer, higher value livelihoods through better management, investment and innovation. Community and development specialist Mariam Ngoya of YWCA Kenya underscored the deep link between healthy oceans and healthy communities, stressing that women, youth and local enterprises must be at the centre of any long term blue economy strategy.

As Ocean Centres Kenya continues to document local safety challenges and co-create solutions with partners, the message is clear: if it is not safe, it is not sustainable, and Kenya’s blue economy can only thrive when safety, dignity and opportunity move forward together.

Learn more about Ocean Centres Kenya at https://www.oceancentres.com/kenya or contact us at info@globalcompactkenya.org

“Respect for human rights is a core component of governance, competitiveness and long-term business success.”With this c...
30/03/2026

“Respect for human rights is a core component of governance, competitiveness and long-term business success.”
With this call to action, Hon. Judith Pareno, Principal Secretary for Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs, challenged Kenyan businesses to stay ahead of rapidly evolving global expectations on responsible business conduct.

Speaking at the Business and Human Rights workshop co-hosted by the Global Compact Network Kenya and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, she highlighted Kenya’s leadership as the first African country to develop a National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights and underscored that the question for companies is no longer whether these expectations will reach us, but how prepared we are when they do.

She pointed to new regulatory developments – from due diligence requirements to trade-related rules – as signals that buyers, investors and regulators now expect stronger evidence of responsible practices across value chains.

Building on last week’s launch, PS Pareno reaffirmed the State’s commitment to practical support for the private sector through two landmark tools: the Human Rights Due Diligence Framework and the Model Operational-Level Grievance Mechanism, developed with the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights. These tools are designed to help companies turn principles into day-to-day action; identifying and managing human rights risks, strengthening internal governance, and ensuring accessible and fair processes when grievances arise.

Her keynote strongly echoed the mission of Global Compact Network Kenya: to equip businesses with the clarity, frameworks and partnerships they need to operate competitively while placing people, justice and dignity at the centre of sustainable growth.

Respect for human rights is no longer a “good to have” – it is fast becoming a license to operate and compete.Today at M...
30/03/2026

Respect for human rights is no longer a “good to have” – it is fast becoming a license to operate and compete.

Today at Mövenpick Nairobi, Global Compact Network Kenya and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) are convening participants for a practical workshop on “Understanding Business & Human Rights Frameworks and the Regulatory Landscape.” The session unpacks the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights (UNGPs) and Kenya’s National Action Plan (NAP), and explores what emerging Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), due diligence and market expectations really mean for governance, risk, supply chains and access to capital.

As Judy Njino, Executive Director, Global Compact Network Kenya, underscored in her opening remarks, companies that move early on human rights face fewer surprises as regulations tighten, build stronger trust with workers, communities and regulators, and are better positioned in demanding value chains. Charles Kwemoi, Country Representative, OHCHR, further emphasized that business and human rights is no longer a peripheral issue but “sits at the heart of responsible and competitive business” in an era where human rights due diligence is increasingly a condition for market access.

Through keynote insights, expert presentations and interactive discussions, participants are exploring practical entry points to put people and governance on equal footing with climate action; from clarifying responsibilities under the UNGPs and NAP, to strengthening internal accountability and reporting practices.

This workshop is a key stepping stone towards a Kenyan private sector that is market-ready, partner-ready and people-centered in how it does business.

Advancing Responsible Business Conduct in KenyaToday, Global Compact Network Kenya joined the State Department for Justi...
26/03/2026

Advancing Responsible Business Conduct in Kenya

Today, Global Compact Network Kenya joined the State Department for Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs, the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR), the Danish Institute for Human Rights and a broad range of stakeholders for the official launch of Kenya’s Human Rights Due Diligence (HRDD) Framework for Businesses and the Model Operational-Level Grievance Mechanism in Nairobi.

As a member of the Steering Committee for Kenya’s National Action Plan on Business and Human Rights, Global Compact Network Kenya is proud to have supported the development of these tools.

The event was officiated by Principal Secretary, State Department for Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs, Hon. Judith Pareno, and featured remarks from KNCHR Chairperson Claris Oganga and representatives of the Danish Institute for Human Rights alongside MDAs, regulators, employer associations, civil society and development partners.

“As Global Compact Network Kenya, we are committed to disseminate these guidelines and working collaboratively with all actors to build a culture of accountability, transparency, and respect for human rights in business practices ,” said Judy Njino, Executive Director, Global Compact Network Kenya.

𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗦𝗚 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?Many organizations have made sustainability commitments. T...
25/03/2026

𝗧𝗼𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄: 𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘃𝗲 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗘𝗦𝗚 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻?

Many organizations have made sustainability commitments. The real challenge is turning those commitments into structured, practical implementation.

Join us tomorrow for Session 2 of the ESG Essentials Masterclass Series - Sustainability Roadmap: From Commitment to Action

This session will focus on how to:
▪ Prioritise sustainability actions in a way that aligns with your business
▪ Avoid fragmented or ad hoc initiatives
▪ Build a clear, structured roadmap for implementation
▪ Connect commitments to measurable outcomes

Webinar Details

Thursday, 26 March 2026
10:00 – 11:30 AM (EAT)
Register: https://tinyurl.com/ESGMasterclass2

If you’re working to move from intention to implementation, this session will give you a clear starting point.

Understanding business and human rights is no longer a nice to have, it is increasingly shaping how companies operate, c...
24/03/2026

Understanding business and human rights is no longer a nice to have, it is increasingly shaping how companies operate, compete, and access markets.

At the upcoming Business & Human Rights Workshop, Global Compact Network Kenya, in partnership with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, convenes a focused, in person session for Private Sector to explore what this means in practice.

We are honoured to welcome Hon. Judith Pareno, Principal Secretary, State Department of Justice, Human Rights and Constitutional Affairs, who will deliver the keynote address. She will be joined by Judy Njino, Executive Director, Global Compact Network Kenya, and Charles Kwemoi, Country Representative, Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights.

Together, they will guide a practical conversation on the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, Kenya’s National Action Plan, and the evolving regulatory and market expectations shaping corporate governance, risk management, and business decision making.

Monday, 30 March 2026
8:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Nairobi

As global shipping routes shift in response to rising tensions in the Middle East, Lamu Port is already seeing the real-...
23/03/2026

As global shipping routes shift in response to rising tensions in the Middle East, Lamu Port is already seeing the real-time implications of this change, with vessels being rerouted and new pressures emerging across safety, logistics and community impact.

This moment reinforces an important question:
𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐝𝐨 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐰𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐬 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐬𝐚𝐟𝐞, 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞?

Against this backdrop, we are convening a timely dialogue through our upcoming hybrid workshop, Living with the Port, bringing together voices from across the maritime ecosystem.

📅 Wednesday, 1 April 2026
📍 Hybrid, Lamu & Online

Register to join online: https://tinyurl.com/OCKWorkshop7Virtual
Register to attend in person (Lamu): https://tinyurl.com/OCKWorkshop7Lamu

Joining us for this conversation:
- Judy Njino, Executive Director, Global Compact Network Kenya
- Olive Mumbo, Country Lead, Ocean Centres Kenya
- Albert Karisa Lucas, Maritime Transport & Logistics Specialist, Kenya Ports Authority, Lamu
- Latifa Noor, Program Manager, Lamu Tech Hub, Moderator

Together, we will explore practical approaches to strengthening port safety, building climate resilience and ensuring local communities are part of the opportunities emerging within Kenya’s evolving maritime space.

We look forward to having you join the conversation, whether in Lamu or online.

At a time when Kenya’s economic growth story is increasingly defined by widening inequality, the implications for busine...
19/03/2026

At a time when Kenya’s economic growth story is increasingly defined by widening inequality, the implications for business are becoming harder to ignore.

On 31 March, Global Compact Network Kenya and Oxfam in Kenya will convene a closed-door C-Suite roundtable to examine what rising inequality means in practice, not just as a social issue, but as a structural business risk.

The dialogue will feature insights from Abdi Mohammed, Managing Director and CEO, Absa Bank Kenya and Board Chair, Global Compact Network Kenya; Dr Emmanuel Nzai, Chairman, Vision 2030; Martin Ochien’g, Group Managing Director, Sasini Plc; Mercy Mugure, Chief Executive Officer, Adept Technologies Ltd; Anthony Wainaina, Managing Director, Ponty Pridd Holdings and Judy Njino, Executive Director, Global Compact Network Kenya among others

From constrained market growth and workforce pressures to rising country risk and long-term investment uncertainty, inequality is reshaping the operating environment across sectors.

This session will bring together a select group of CEOs to reflect candidly on the evolving role of business leadership in addressing these dynamics and what a more resilient, inclusive economic model could look like in the Kenyan context.

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1st Floor, Principal Place, School Lane, Westlands
Nairobi
P.OBOX2824-00606

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Monday 08:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 08:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 08:00 - 17:00
Thursday 08:00 - 17:00
Friday 08:00 - 17:00

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0722201368

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