Kenyan businesses are being urged to strengthen continuity plans ahead of the 2027 General Election, as the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) warns that political uncertainty could disrupt supply chains, weaken investor confidence and threaten jobs across key economic sectors.
The call was made during the National Business and Elections Continuity Advocacy Forum in Nairobi, convened by KNCCI in partnership with the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) to develop coordinated measures for protecting commercial activity before, during and after the elections.
Held under the theme “Keeping Kenya’s Economy Open, Operational and Resilient During the 2027 Electoral Cycle,” the forum brought together government representatives, private sector leaders and development partners to validate policy recommendations and establish mechanisms for maintaining economic stability throughout the electoral period.
KNCCI National Director Lucy Muchoki, representing President Dr Erick Rutto, said previous election cycles had demonstrated the economic costs of political instability, including business closures, interrupted logistics, declining investment and employment losses.
Research cited by the chamber showed that Kenya’s flower exports declined by 24% during the 2007/2008 post-election crisis, with losses reaching 38% among firms operating in violence-affected areas. International tourist arrivals also fell by 33.9% in 2008, highlighting the exposure of export-oriented and service industries to political disruptions.
Kenya’s economic growth also slowed from 5.9% in 2016 to an estimated 4.9% in 2017 amid election-related uncertainty and other economic pressures.
“Election preparedness must protect democratic participation while safeguarding economic activity, employment and essential services,” Rutto said.
He called for the forum’s recommendations to be translated into measurable commitments, with clearly assigned institutional responsibilities and realistic implementation timelines.
MSMEs face heightened risks
KNCCI Chief Executive Officer KK Mutai said business continuity was not simply a concern for individual companies but a national economic priority, given the millions of livelihoods dependent on uninterrupted trade and enterprise activity.
Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) face particular risks because many have limited cash reserves and little capacity to absorb prolonged closures, falling customer demand, damaged inventory or supply-chain interruptions.
For small traders, manufacturers, transport operators and service providers, even short disruptions can affect daily cash flow, weaken their ability to meet financial obligations and threaten jobs.
Mutai said the forum was designed to validate a policy brief on business continuity, advance a national advocacy agenda and identify practical trade facilitation measures to maintain the movement of goods, people and payments during the election period.
KNCCI also plans to use its county chapter network to ensure that business concerns outside Nairobi inform national policy and preparedness measures.
Representing KAS, Country Director Mathias Kamp highlighted the connection between democratic stability, credible information and economic confidence.
“While we work on the integrity of our elections, we must also work on our communication to ensure our citizens are well informed and fight misinformation,” Kamp said.
He warned that misinformation and uncertainty could undermine public confidence and influence investment decisions, reinforcing the need for responsible communication throughout the electoral cycle.
“Economy is simply everyone doing business, and elections should never affect the economy,” he added.
Government pledges continuity in trade and investment
The government also reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining a predictable business environment before, during and after the polls.
Symon Chelelgo, Deputy Director at the State Department for Trade in the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry, said democratic processes should not interrupt economic activity or undermine long-term investment decisions.
He highlighted government priorities including infrastructure development, streamlined regulations, industrialisation, value addition and expanded market access.
Protecting trade corridors, maintaining efficient logistics and strengthening supply chains will be essential to ensuring that manufacturers, exporters, importers and distributors continue operating without unnecessary interruptions.
“Kenya is open for business before, during and after the electoral period,” was the government’s central message.
Six priorities for business resilience
A key outcome of the KNCCI-KAS initiative is the advancement of four interconnected instruments: a Policy Brief on Business Needs Analysis During the Election Year; a Policy Brief on the Business Community Action Plan; the National Business and Elections Continuity Advocacy Agenda; and proposed Business-Government Technical Working Committees.
The committees will focus on six areas: peace, security and early warning; electoral integrity, civic education and information; trade, transport and supply-chain continuity; MSME resilience, employment and livelihoods; digital infrastructure, utilities and essential services; and policy coordination, financing and monitoring.
The advocacy agenda, proposed for implementation from November 2026 to September 2027, will provide a framework for engaging government institutions, securing policy commitments and tracking preparedness measures.
For businesses, the initiative offers an opportunity to plan for operational risks, review supply-chain alternatives, protect essential services and coordinate with public institutions before disruptions occur.
Ultimately, the success of the initiative will depend on whether proposed recommendations translate into timely government action, practical business preparedness and effective coordination across counties.
As Kenya approaches the 2027 General Election, KNCCI and KAS are seeking to ensure that political competition does not come at the expense of economic activity, investor confidence and the livelihoods of millions of Kenyans.
