The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch continues to deepen its collaboration with key justice sector stakeholders as it prepares to participate as a Strategic Partner in the upcoming […]
1. Background and Context Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of Kenya’s economy, contributing approximately 33% of GDP and employing over 80% of the workforce outside the agricultural sector. Despite this significance, SMEs remain disproportionately exposed to commercial disputes that are costly, protracted, and frequently unresolved through formal judicial channels. The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) Kenya Branch convened a multi-stakeholder roundtable to interrogate the landscape of dispute resolution for SMEs, assess the efficacy of existing mechanisms, and identify entry points for scalable Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) interventions. The roundtable convened representatives from the Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA), the Judiciary, the Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI), the financial sector, the insurance industry, and the youth entrepreneurship ecosystem. This report summarises the deliberations and perspectives presented by each stakeholder group, and distills shared conclusions, identified gaps, and proposed areas of partnership. 2. Micro and Small Enterprise Authority (MSEA) — Perspective Presenters: Maureen Gachogo- Registrar. :Agnes Thiong’o- Senior legal officer. 2.1 Nature and Typology of Disputes in the SME Sector MSEA’s frontline engagement with the SME ecosystem reveals that disputes within this sector are diverse in character and frequently multi-layered. The Authority identified three principal categories of disputes commonly encountered: •Governance disputes: These arise within SME structures, particularly cooperatives, chamas, and registered business associations, where disagreements over leadership, profit-sharing, decision-making authority, and member obligations create internal fractures. Such disputes, if unresolved, often result in enterprise dissolution or significant productive loss. •Resource disputes – Land use: A recurring category of disputes involves access to and use of land for business operations. These disputes frequently involve […]
At independence, Zambia was among the most prosperous countries in sub-Saharan Africa by mineral export earnings. Its copper mines were producing 700,000 tonnes a year. The world came to invest, […]
The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Kenya Branch successfully launched its first ADR Talk Service, marking a significant milestone in strengthening transparency, professionalism, and public awareness around dispute resolution services. […]
Advance Your Investment Arbitration Expertise: ICSID Arbitration Training 2026 CIArb Kenya is delighted to invite practitioners to the Advanced ICSID Arbitration Training (Hybrid Format), scheduled from 16th to 20th March […]
The Pillars of Environmental Democracy: A Guide to Hon. Prof. Kariuki Muigua’s Essential Works Long gone are the days when it was fashionable to claim that “if you want to […]
At the opening of the Lady Justice Joyce Aluoch International ADR Moot 2025, held at USIU-Africa, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) delivered a message underscoring the vital role this […]
In an era where effective leadership demands not only strategic thinking but also adeptness in conflict resolution, the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) Kenya Branch and the Institute of Directors […]
CIArb Kenya organized a mentorship session at the Kenya School of Law to aid young legal practitioners in better understanding the role Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) plays in the legal […]
The YMG Connect is an informal networking cocktail for young ADR professionals open to both its members and other interested young ADR practitioners.
