In a significant move towards promoting transparency and understanding of competition and consumer protection law, the Competition Authority of Kenya (CAK) has unveiled a comprehensive Competition and Consumer Protection Law Digest.
The launch, which took place on Friday, 23rd February, 2024, marks a pivotal moment for the Authority in its commitment to becoming a center of excellence for competition law.
Enhancing Understanding and Transparency.
The newly introduced Law Digest encapsulates a wealth of knowledge, offering concise yet detailed briefs on matters the Authority has handled from August 2011 to June 2022.
Developed in collaboration with the National Council for Law Reporting (Kenya Law), the publication aims to enhance comprehension of competition and consumer protection law within the country.
Mr. Shaka Kariuki, the Authority’s Board Chairman, emphasized the commitment to transparency, stating, “In the course of executing our mandate, the Authority endeavors to be highly transparent, predictable, and accountable to all our stakeholders. The Digest has been developed in fulfillment of this aspiration.”
In-Depth Coverage and Objectives.
The Digest covers a spectrum of cases, including Mergers & Acquisitions, Restrictive Trade Practices and Consumer Protection, and Abuse of Buyer Power.
It also delves into market inquiries and studies conducted by the Authority, providing stakeholders with valuable insights to address anti-competitive and consumer welfare concerns and inform policy decisions.
Dr. Adano Wario, the Authority’s Acting Director-General, highlighted the Digest’s role as a one-stop reference, stating, “The Digest now provides a one-stop reference for stakeholders. This publication is the first of many that the Authority plans to produce. We look forward to receiving feedback regarding the inaugural edition from stakeholders.”
Strategic Goals and International Recognition.
Entrenching the CAK as a center of excellence is a strategic goal outlined in the Authority’s Strategic Plan.
The development and dissemination of the Digest align with this objective, providing a comprehensive guide to the procedural and substantive application of the Competition Act.
The launch of the Digest coincided with the conclusion of the two-day 2024 International Competition Network (ICN) Advocacy Workshop.
Themed “Bouncing Back: Competition Advocacy and Resilience to Global Shocks,” the workshop explored the role of advocacy in advancing competition law enforcement and supporting economic recovery from disruptions.
Global Collaboration and Recognition.
The ICN Advocacy Workshop brought together competition law practitioners from 36 countries and various stakeholders.
Winning the bid to host the event was a significant achievement for Kenya, as Mr. Kariuki noted, “The ICN is a peer forum of over 135 competition law practitioners from across the World. It was, therefore, an honor for Kenya, through the Authority, to win the bid to host the event.”
The workshop provided a platform for participants to discuss pertinent issues related to the enforcement of competition law, exchange best practices, and foster collaborations to advance competitive markets in their respective jurisdictions.
Access to the Digest and Future Initiatives.
The Competition and Consumer Protection Law Digest is available free of charge on the Authority’s website, emphasizing the commitment to accessibility and knowledge dissemination.
Stakeholders are encouraged to explore this valuable resource and provide feedback for future editions.
As the Authority looks to the future, the launch of the Digest signals the beginning of a series of publications aimed at promoting understanding, transparency, and adherence to competition and consumer protection law.
For more information, contact Mugambi Mutegi, Manager of Communications & External Relations, via email at mmutegi@cak.go.ke or on Twitter @CAK_Kenya. Telephone inquiries can be directed to +254 (20) 277 9000, and the E-Filing Portal is available at https://competition.cak.go.ke:444/.
