Global Compact Network Kenya

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

19/03/2026

When Global Compact Network Kenya declared sustainability non-negotiable for Kenyan business in 2026, February offered early evidence of that shift. The launch of the Kenya National Carbon Registry is one such signal, and one that will continue to shape how companies operate and compete.

In her latest op-ed in Business Daily Africa, our Executive Director Judy Njino reflects on what this means in practice. The registry is an important step, but it is ultimately a tool. Its value will depend on how businesses engage with it, test it, and help ensure it works for the full spectrum of the economy, including SMEs, communities, and smallholder farmers.

The business implications are already emerging. From Europe’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism and growing ESG requirements across global supply chains, to the potential to unlock new revenue streams through carbon markets, climate action is increasingly linked to competitiveness and long-term value.

At the same time, real impact will come down to ex*****on. Early engagement, practical application, and continuous feedback from the private sector will be critical in shaping how the registry delivers in the Kenyan context.

Read Judy’s full analysis in Business Daily:

A tree-planting project might promise 1,000 tonnes of C02 absorbed, but without independent verification, buyers hesitate.

16/03/2026

You understand ESG. What comes next?

Translating sustainability commitments into practical implementation is often the most challenging step for organizations.

Join the second session in our 2026 sustainability capacity-building series, titled Sustainability Roadmap: From Commitment to Action, as we explore how businesses can build a structured sustainability roadmap aligned with strategy and operational priorities.

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

In this session, participants will explore how to:
✔ Translate sustainability commitments into actionable priorities
✔ Sequence initiatives strategically to avoid fragmentation
✔ Align sustainability efforts with business strategy
✔ Connect commitments to measurable outcomes within the UN Global Compact framework

Open to both UN Global Compact participants and non-participants, so share widely across your networks and supply chains as we continue supporting businesses to translate sustainability ambition into practical action.

13/03/2026

𝟮𝟴𝟲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀. That is how long it will take to close the global legal gap between women and men at the current pace of reform.

On Tuesday, Kenya’s private sector came together to ring the bell for gender equality and reflect on what that timeline demands from business leadership today.

In our latest article, we reflect on the conversations, commitments and evidence shared during the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2026 ceremony, and what they signal for companies serious about advancing gender equality.

As we continue advancing this conversation, we invite you to read the article and share your perspectives on what business leadership must do now so it does not take another 𝟮𝟴𝟲 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀.

286 years. That is how long it will take to close the global legal gap between women and men at the current pace of reform.

12/03/2026

Measuring progress is central to advancing responsible business and driving meaningful action on the Ten Principles and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Communication on Progress (CoP) is the annual disclosure through which participating companies demonstrate how they are translating commitment into measurable action.

With the CoP reporting window opening in April, all participating companies are required to submit their annual disclosure. Preparing early can make the process significantly smoother.

To support organizations through the upcoming reporting cycle, Global Compact Network Kenya is hosting a webinar designed to walk companies through the process and answer key questions: CoP Foundations: Understanding Requirements, Timelines & Expectations

This practical session will cover the CoP framework, reporting timelines, minimum requirements, common reporting gaps, and practical steps organizations can take now to streamline their submission.

Webinar Details
Day: Wednesday, 18 March 2026
Time: 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Register: https://tinyurl.com/CoPFoundations

We look forward to supporting companies as they prepare for the upcoming CoP reporting cycle.

10/03/2026

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝗶𝗿𝗼𝗯𝗶, 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗴 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹𝘀.

Leaders from business, capital markets, government and development institutions gathered for the Ring the Bell for Gender Equality 2026 Ceremony, convened by the Nairobi Securities Exchange, Global Compact Network Kenya, UN Women and the International Finance Corporation.

Held under this year’s theme, Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls, the ceremony brought together senior leaders to reflect on the role of business and financial markets in advancing gender equality.

Distinguished speakers included Ms. Rita Kavashe, Chair and Managing Director of Isuzu East Africa, Ms. Judy Njino, Executive Director of Global Compact Network Kenya, Ms. Mary Porter Peschka, Division Director for Eastern Africa at IFC, Ms. Antonia N’Gabala-Sodonon, Country Representative for UN Women, and Ms. Lucy Kamar-Chepkurui, Head of Talent at the Nairobi Securities Exchange, alongside leaders from across Kenya’s private sector and capital markets.

In her remarks, Judy Njino emphasized that advancing gender equality requires leadership from business itself. As the engine of Kenya’s economy, the private sector has the power to shape workplace cultures, governance standards and investment decisions that determine whether women have equal opportunity to participate and lead. Gender equality, she noted, is increasingly recognized as a core element of corporate governance, innovation and long term value creation. It is also a growth strategy. Studies show that closing gender gaps could increase Kenya’s GDP growth by an estimated 1.5% to 2% annually.

Another highlight of the morning was the Women’s Empowerment Principles signing moment, where Ecobank Kenya and Kenya Bixa Ltd stepped forward to commit to advancing gender equality across their workplaces, supply chains and communities.

The programme also featured a powerful spoken word performance by Priscar Njeri (Scar Poetry), whose poetry reflected on the lived experiences of women and the enduring search for justice. As she reminded the audience; growth that leaves half the population negotiating for breath is not growth. It is imbalance with good branding.

As the bell rang, the ceremony closed with a shared recognition that advancing gender equality requires institutions to move from commitment to implementation, from principles to performance, and from intention to measurable impact.