All businesses registered in Kenya may soon be forced to part with a minimum of Sh50,000 in yearly membership fees for the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI).

This is according to Investments, Trade and Industry Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria, who says the government is considering making the Chamber membership mandatory for all businesses.

Kuria says his ministry intends to table the recommendation through a draft bill to the cabinet, which is chaired by President William Ruto, in the next 30 days to pave the way for making the KNCCI membership mandatory.

The CS argues that the move will help streamline the vast informal sector in the country and accelerate the connection of the local sector with other significant markets across the globe.

“That is why I have challenged my Principal Secretary, and we are already working on a law that will be presented to the Cabinet within the next 30 days known as the Kenya National Chamber Law,” he said. 

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Kuria was speaking during the 3rd Kenya International Investment Conference at KICC on Monday, where he indicated that such a move would encourage the growth of businesses in Kenya.

If the draft bill is approved by cabinet and subsequently by Parliament, Kenyan businesses will have to budget for the annual subscription fees on top of grappling with a weaker shilling, rising energy costs, high inflation and a reduced purchasing power of the consumer. 

The annual membership to the KNCCI in Kenya currently ranges from Sh50,000 for the enterprise category to a high of Sh5 million for businesses in the patron category.