Ms. Flora Mutahi has been announced as the new chairperson of the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM) board and will serve for a period of two years. She becomes the first ever woman to serve as chair of KAM since the association was founded in 1959.
From left, KAM Chairperson, Ms. Flora Mutahi, KAM CEO Ms. Phyllis Wakiaga and Outgoing Chair, Mr. Pradeep Paunrana
Mutahi is an accomplished entrepreneur and is the the founder and CEO of Melvin Marsh International, owner of the well known tea brand Melvin’s Tea. She founded the company in the 1994 and it makes tea blends, salt and rice.
Mutahi takes over from ARM Cement CEO Pradeep Paunrana who will remain an ex-officio member of the Association’s board. At her unveiling she shared that her leadership will focus on continued engagement with key stakeholders like the government, lobbying for stronger policies for the industry and improving export opportunities for SMEs. Other key areas of her focus will be: taxation policies, prompt payment, VAT refunds and single business licenses.
KAM has a history of having women in top leadership. This includes current CEO Phyllis Wakiaga and former CEO, and now PS for East African Affairs, Betty Maina.