President William Ruto is facing a fresh set of demands from Kenya’s business community, with about 1,000 Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) calling for measures to lower the cost of doing business and create a more predictable environment for investment and economic growth.
In a survey conducted by the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) in July 2026, the CEOs outlined key interventions they want the government to consider to support economic activity and business expansion.
The cost of doing business emerged as the leading domestic constraint to firms’ growth over the next 12 months.
The CEOs called for reductions in levies, licensing fees and compliance costs, as well as lower costs of fuel, energy and other key business inputs.
They also want greater tax and regulatory predictability, with the government maintaining stable, transparent and equitable policies while minimizing frequent policy changes and regulatory uncertainty.
Eight Demands from CEOs
The CEOs identified eight areas they want the government to address to make Kenya’s business environment more favourable and support investment and economic growth.
Lower the cost of doing business: The business leaders called for reduced levies, licensing fees, and compliance costs, along with lower fuel, energy, and other key input costs.
Make tax policies more predictable: They want stable, transparent and equitable tax and regulatory policies, with fewer frequent changes that create uncertainty for businesses.
Make credit more affordable: The CEOs called for improved access to affordable financing, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises, to support investment, expansion and job creation.
Cut bureaucratic hurdles: Businesses want the government to simplify compliance and reduce bureaucratic processes that raise operating costs and reduce productivity.
Clear pending government bills: The CEOs urged the government to strengthen fiscal management by settling pending bills on time and releasing government funds promptly.
Maintain long-term economic stability: They called for long-term national development plans that can continue beyond political cycles and provide businesses with greater certainty.
Improve infrastructure: The business community wants infrastructure investment to attract investors and make it easier for firms to operate and expand.
Deepen government-business engagement: The CEOs also called for sustained dialogue and collaboration between the public and private sectors to ensure government policies respond to business needs and are effectively implemented.
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CEOs Expect Global Growth to Weaken
The demands come against a cautious global outlook, with most respondents expecting global economic growth to weaken over the next 12 months.
The CEOs cited geopolitical tensions, particularly conflicts in the Middle East, higher energy prices, inflationary pressures, subdued global demand and disruptions to trade and supply chains among the factors likely to weigh on global growth.
Elevated debt levels and persistent geopolitical uncertainty are also expected to constrain the global economy.
However, the business leaders identified artificial intelligence and technological investments, resilient demand, opportunities in emerging markets and a faster resolution of geopolitical conflicts as factors that could support global growth.
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Middle East conflict poses Major Risk
The conflict in the Middle East was identified as the key external downside risk to economic activity.
Businesses said geopolitical developments could affect energy prices, trade, supply chains and operating costs.
At home, the cost of doing business remained the leading challenge to firms’ growth.
The CEOs said they plan to mitigate the constraints by managing business costs and lobbying relevant stakeholders.
Kenyan Businesses Remain Optimistic
Despite heightened global risks, firms remained optimistic about their own growth prospects over the next 12 months.
Business activity was mixed in the second quarter of 2026 but is expected to remain broadly stable in the third quarter.
Most firms reported operating below or near full capacity, indicating that they have some capacity to accommodate an unexpected increase in demand or sales.
Most respondents also reported favorable access to bank credit, supported by accommodative monetary policy.
Technology Becomes Key Growth Driver
The survey found that the majority of firms had integrated technology into their operations.
Businesses identified technological innovation, a customer-centric approach, improved product portfolios, and reassessing business models as key drivers of sectoral growth and expansion over the next 12 months.
The findings point to growing reliance on technology and business model changes as firms seek to improve competitiveness and expand.
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