Govt Reiterates Commitment to Fair and Competitive Market Economy

Kenya has reiterated its commitment to maintaining a fair, open and well-regulated market economy that supports business growth and healthy competition.

Principal Secretary at the National Treasury, Chris Kiptoo, made the remarks on Tuesday, during the launch of a peer review report on Kenya’s competition and consumer protection framework.

The review was conducted by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), an international body that develops policy standards and best practices for governments.

The report, titled OECD Peer Reviews of Competition Law and Policy: Kenya, examines the country’s competition regime, enforcement systems and consumer protection mechanisms. It also provides recommendations aimed at strengthening institutions and improving regulatory effectiveness.

According to the OECD, peer reviews are designed to help countries assess the performance of their competition laws, identify gaps and promote reforms based on international standards. The findings are expected to support Kenya in refining its regulatory systems and enhancing market oversight.

Speaking at the launch, Kiptoo said the government remains committed to advancing open markets.

“The PS Dr. Chris Kiptoo @Kiptoock today reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to building a fair, competitive and well-regulated market economy, emphasizing the country’s leadership in advancing open markets where businesses can grow, compete and thrive,” the National Treasury said.

Kiptoo added that the review will help the government strengthen existing systems while identifying areas that need improvement.

Treasury officials said the assessment will also guide future policy decisions aimed at supporting a stable and predictable business environment.

The peer review focuses in part on the work of the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK), the country’s main regulator for competition and consumer protection.

The authority investigates anti-competitive conduct, reviews mergers and acquisitions, and enforces laws against abuse of buyer power and unfair market practices.

Kenya established the Competition Authority in 2011 following the enactment of the Competition Act, 2010. The agency operates under the Ministry of National Treasury and is responsible for promoting fair competition, protecting consumers and preventing market distortions.

In recent years, Kenya has introduced several reforms to strengthen market regulation. These include improving coordination among regulatory bodies, expanding enforcement capacity and enhancing oversight of mergers and dominant firms. The government has also worked to align domestic policies with international standards.

The OECD peer review serves as an international benchmark for evaluating how effectively Kenya enforces competition rules. It also highlights opportunities for reforms that can improve transparency, accountability and institutional capacity.

Economic analysts note that stronger competition frameworks can support investment, encourage innovation and improve service delivery across sectors such as energy, telecommunications, agriculture and transport. Studies by international institutions have linked competition reforms to higher productivity, job creation and lower prices for consumers.

Treasury said the government expects the recommendations from the review to strengthen consumer protection and reinforce fair market practices.

They added that improving competition policy remains central to Kenya’s broader economic transformation agenda.

The findings of the OECD review are expected to inform ongoing policy discussions as Kenya continues efforts to build a more competitive economy that supports businesses, protects consumers and promotes sustainable growth.